To ask Her Majesty's Government how 600,000 childcare places for two year-olds will be funded. [HL1240]

We are committed to rolling out a free entitlement to two year-olds, stage by stage. By the end of March 2010 it is expected some 20,000 two year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds will have access to a free early learning and childcare place each year.

Funding allocated to support the free early learning and childcare offer to two year-olds over 2009-2011 is £137 million, delivered through the Early Years, Extended Schools and Childcare Grant (EYESCG).

Decisions regarding the pace of future rollout will need to be taken in light of wider fiscal considerations as part of the next spending review.