In September 2011, the Minister for Children, Sarah Teather, proposed that every family who meet the criteria for free school meals should qualify for Free Early Education Entitlement along with looked after children. Do you agree with this proposal?

The Minister also proposed that local councils should be free to offer the entitlement to other groups, such as children with SEN or disability. Do you agree with this proposal?

In the event that a child does not meet the eligibility criteria, as set out in the regulations, but does belong to a special category of children (such as SEN, disability or identified as ‘children in need’) should that child be entitled to Free Early Education nonetheless?

Which of the following categories of children should be classed as ‘special category’ for the purposes of Free Early Education?

In the event that a child is eligible for the entitlement at age 2, and their family circumstances change, should they continue to be eligible until the age of 3?

Do you support the proposal that free entitlement hours could be taken between 7am and 7pm (rather than between 8am and 6pm as currently)?

If you answered 'No' to the previous question, please explain your reasons why.

Do you support the proposal to allow the free entitlement to be taken over two days per week rather than three days?

If you answered 'No' to the previous question, please explain your reasons why.

Should these flexibility requirements apply to both the offer for 3-and 4 year old and the two year old entitlement?

If you answered 'No' to the previous question, please explain your reasons why.

The Government is proposing to change the eligibility criteria for providers, for funding to deliver Free Early Education. Local authorities will have the discretion to allocate funding to providers, on the basis of a ‘basket of measures.’ Which of the following do you believe should be included in the proposed basket of measures for provider funding?

Do you think that the above basket of measures is wide enough? Is it fair? Please explain your views.

Should local authorities be encouraged to set a higher quality threshold for providers delivering the two year old entitlement than those delivering early education for 3 and 4year olds?

Are there any challenges which would prevent you from delivering the Free Entitlement? Please explain your views.

Does the Government adequately inform parents about the entitlements available to them and the choices they can make about childcare?

Should the Government be doing more to inform parents? What steps should they take? Please explain your views.

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