Children's Plan promises places for two-year-olds
More nursery places for two-year-olds from poorer families are expected to be announced by the DCSF this week as part of the ten-year Children's Plan.
As Nursery World went to press, children's secretary Ed Balls was due to reveal details to MPs on Tuesday.
The plan will also include a review of what primary school children are taught, and issues such as the impact of advertising amid concerns about the 'commercialisation of childhood'.
Mr Balls also pledged £90m for short breaks for disabled children at an End Child Poverty event on Monday. The money will be distributed by the UK-wide Family Fund, which receives core funding from the DCSF to make grants to disabled children.
Under the scheme, families with disabled children can apply for money for family holidays, driving lessons, computers and other items.
An extra £8.4m will be made available in 2010-11 for families with disabled children under 18, making disabled 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for grants for the first time.
Mr Balls said, 'We want every child to have the opportunity to be happy and achieve, no matter what their background or the challenges they face. This is all part of the ethos enshrined in the Children's Plan. This funding renews our commitment to providing valuable breaks to disabled children and their families.'
