10,540 children in Cumbria are receiving free nursery care

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said 'investment in early years education will pay big dividends for the future of our county', after figures released to Tim show that 10,450 three and four year olds are benefiting from funded early education places.

Tim asked how many children were benefiting from a free early years education place in his constituency and in our county. The Education Minister Liz Truss replied that within Westmorland and Lonsdale 1,580 children received free nursery care and over 10,000 received it throughout the county.

A further 813 families in Cumbria will get access to 15 hours of free childcare from September this year as the Government invests an extra £2,247,482 to support Cumbria's poorest toddlers.

Commenting, Tim said: "This is great news for parents and toddlers in Cumbria. Early years education, through play and stories, helps young children prepare for school. It's also a huge help to parents who may be struggling to juggle work commitments and family life.

"By making early years education freely available to the least well-off families and providing additional money to schools through the Pupil Premium, we are ensuring we give our children the best possible start in life."