Statistics for January 2006 show a total of 541,700 three-year-olds, or 96 per cent of children of that age, using some of the free entitlement across all sectors in local authority and private, voluntary and independent settings.
Fifty-five per cent, or 307,800 three-year-olds, are in private and voluntary sector settings, a rise of just one per centage point on comparable figures in January last year.
A smaller proportion of three-year-olds (38 per cent) take up free early education places in maintained nursery and primary schools.
However, this year's figures show that the majority of four-year-olds (79 per cent) take up early education places in settings in maintained nursery and primary schools. All four-year-olds receive some form of free early education entitlement.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
