Children from disadvantaged families are receiving far less Government-funded early education than their peers, leaving them at risk of falling behind before they start school, a new report from Coram Family and Childcare warns.
The report reveals that a child with eligible working parents will receive three times as much government-funded early education as a disadvantaged child by the time they start school.
As the final stage of the Government’s expansion of early education entitlements begins, children of working parents can now access 30 funded hours per week from the age of nine months until they start school.
But families who do not meet the income or work requirements face bills of up to £205 per week for under-twos, rising to £274 in London, to match these hours.
Groups excluded include children of parents in education or training, those unable to work due to illness, and migrant families with restricted access to public funds.
Coram is calling for urgent reform to ensure all children have equal access to early education.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: ‘We have long raised concerns about the potential disparity in support given the entitlements focus on children of working parents and would like to see the Government review the entitlements offer to tackle this.’
