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# Free childcare extended to 900 two-years olds in Brighton & Hove
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/free-childcare-extended-to-900-two-years-olds-in-brighton-hove/
- Published: 2014-09-14T10:25:10.000Z
- Updated: 2014-09-17T09:52:11.000Z
- Description: The Government announced this week that it is extending the entitlement of 15 hours of free early education to the 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds, to help them fulfil their potential in life. 116,000 two-year-olds already benefit from this free childcare and this week’s announcement
- Author: Sarah Green
- Tags: News, Politics

## The Government announced this week that it is extending the entitlement of 15 hours of free early education to the 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds, to help them fulfil their potential in life.

![SImon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/web-60042.jpg)

SImon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

**116,000 two-year-olds already benefit** from this free childcare and this week’s announcement extends this eligibility to more than 260,000 children, including 900 in Brighton and Hove.

15 free hours a week is already available to all three- and four-year-olds. Alongside this the Government now meets up to 70 per cent of childcare costs for low- and middle-income families through tax credits and is introducing a tax-free childcare benefit from autumn 2015, which will see all eligible families receive up to £2,000 towards childcare costs for each child.

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, welcomed the news.

**He said:** *“Evidence suggests that children from less-advantaged backgrounds currently start primary school up to 19 months behind their peers. In 21st-century Britain this is unacceptable.*

*“It is great news that this Conservative-led Government has recognised this and is extending 15 hours a week of free provision to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds.*

*“This will help to give 900 two-year-olds in Brighton and Hove the very best start in life so that they can go on to fulfil their potential.”*