Children who are given a free nursery place at 3 are no better off by the age of seven
According to new research children who are given a free nursery place at the age 3 gain no further educational benefits and are no better off by the age of seven. Questions are being asked about the extensive amount that has already been spent on childcare since 2012, and according to David Cameron another 1 billion, a year is to be spent on pre-school childcare.
The recent study showed that there was no difference in school attainment levels between those that were given a free nursery place and those who weren’t. Findings from this recent study are now causing many questions being raised about the money already spent on subsidising childcare.
According to the report more than 70 per cent of those children who are given free nursery places would have attended nursery anyway, therefore childcare has only been made cheaper for 3 and four years olds.
There has been some evidence to show the impact on poorer children and children learning English as a second language, however, there is very little evidence to show that disadvantaged children’s attainment levels were the same as their peers.
The introduction of the 30hrs free childcare scheme will be introduced this September in certain areas, meaning children will receive an additional 15hours free childcare per week. This scheme is only eleigble fro working parents, saving them money on childcare.