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<p>Evidence tells us that children from disadvantaged backgrounds can be up to 19
months behind their better off peers in their learning by the time they start school.
High-quality early learning from the age of 2 can help to narrow that gap, helping
those children to achieve better GCSE results and ultimately earn higher wages.</p><p>
</p><p>That is why we require local authorities to fund places for 2 year old children
at providers judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Since its introduction in 2013,
nearly three quarters of a million of the country’s most disadvantaged 2 year olds
have benefitted from the entitlement to 15 hours of free early education a week. Take-up
is rising, and is now 72%.</p><p> </p><p>As of 31 August 2018, the proportion of childcare
providers judged good or outstanding remains at its highest ever at 95%.</p>
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