PARENTS throughout North Yorkshire are being reminded they could qualify for up to 15 hours a week free early education and childcare for two-year-olds.

Eligible families - parents on certain benefits or who earn less than £16,190 a year - could get up to 15 hours a week of education or care, worth up to £2,833 a year.

Information on who is eligible is available through the Families Information Service by contacting North Yorkshire County Council on 0845 6011 630, or at local children’s centres.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "Currently all three and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education and childcare before they start school.

"This is now on offer to eligible two-year-olds. Research shows that children who go to a high-quality early education and childcare provider make good progress with their language, physical and social development.

“Families are the most important influence in a child’s development in the early years, but when children also have the chance to attend high quality provision that is designed to meet the specific needs of two-year-olds those children will also benefit from having access to a wider range of learning and development that will prepare them well for the next stage in their education.

“When the time comes for them to go to school, they are better prepared and this advantage stays with them right through school and into adulthood.”