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<p>Take-up of the early learning entitlement for three- and four-year-olds is higher
than it has ever been, with 97% of three- and four-year-olds benefiting from a funded
place. This figure increases to 99% of four-year-olds.</p><p> </p><p>The funded entitlement
for two-year-olds was introduced in September 2013. Our latest data from local authorities
at May 2014 shows that around 116,000 two-year-olds were already accessing a funded
early education place.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education publishes the take-up
of free early years childcare entitlement annually. This information is published
online at:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/provision-for-children-under-5-years-of-age-january-2014"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/provision-for-children-under-5-years-of-age-january-2014</a></p><p>
</p><p>The Government agrees that it is important that parents of eligible children
are made aware of the entitlement, and supported to take up a place for their child.
The Government is providing local authorities with information that enables them to
target information about the entitlement directly to parents’ of eligible children.
The Department is also working to ensure that other professionals, such as health
visitors and Jobcentre Plus advisers, are able to support parent awareness of their
child’s entitlements. We are also about to start a targeted marketing campaign to
help raise awareness further.</p><p> </p>
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