To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families by what date he expects free full-time childcare for children aged (a) three and (b) four years to be available. (261675)

Each local authority has a duty to secure sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents and those looking to work or enter education or training, including both full and part time provision.

In addition, all three and four year olds are entitled now to 12.5 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. That offer is being extended progressively so that by 2010 all 3 and 4-year-olds will be entitled to 15 hours a week—available more flexibly to meet families needs.