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David WardMember of Parliament for Bradford East@DavidWardMP on Twitter and Facebook |
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Five thousand Bradford toddlers to get free early years education
July 9, 2012 5:05 PM
Bradford MP David Ward has welcomed the announcement that the number of two-year-olds in Bradford entitled to free early year education is to double by 2014 under Government plans.
The Children's Minister, Sarah Teather has unveiled new criteria under which 5200 two-year-old children from the most hard pressed families in Bradford will be able to receive free early years education.
This is in addition to all three and four-year-old children in Bradford who are already eligible to receive 15 hours of free early years education per week.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"This is great news for parents and toddlers in our area. Early years education, through play and stories, helps young children prepare for school.
"It's also a huge help to parents who may be struggling to juggle work commitments and having young children.
"Thanks to Liberal Democrats, one of the Coalition Government's main priorities is to close the attainment gap between the poorest children and their more well-off peers.
"By making early years education freely available to the least well-off families and giving additional money to schools whose pupils are eligible for Free School Meals through the Pupil Premium we are ensuring we give our children the best start in life in a way that Labour never did."