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<p>The Department plans to spend around £3.5 billion on early education entitlements
this year alone. Government funding is intended to deliver 570 or 1140 hours a year,
over no fewer than 38 weeks of the year of free, high quality, flexible childcare
for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds. This equates to 15 or 30 hours a week for 38 weeks
of the year to mirror school terms.</p><p>All the free entitlements can be “stretched”
by taking fewer hours per week over up to 52 weeks of the year to cover term-time
and the school holidays and free places can also be delivered at weekends (for example,
23 hours a week for 48 weeks of the year). These entitlements will allow providers
to respond flexibly to parents’ individual needs and requirements so that parents
are supported to work.</p><p> </p>
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