Responding to today's new figures, which show the number of children accessing funded early education and childcare rose by 33% in a year to 1.7m,  Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“It is extremely positive that more families now have the choice of accessing funded early education and childcare and are benefitting from this.

“Clearly there is more scope to increase take-up of entitlements for the youngest and most vulnerable children.

"We know from a school and provider perspective, funding levels remain incredibly tight, and we urge government to keep this under constant review. When it comes to early education, quality matters.

“The early years of children’s lives are absolutely crucial in laying the foundations for them to flourish at school and we welcome the government’s determination to prioritise this.

“New policies including the expansion of nursery places in schools and roll-out of breakfast clubs mean schools will play an even greater role in delivering early years provision in future. It is vital the government works closely with them to ensure have the funding, space and staffing needed to do so.”