Efforts to address the shortfall of spaces available for two-year-olds to receive free education in Bradford were commended by councillors, but concerns were raised about how the district is going to meet its targets.

The Council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met at City Hall last night to hear plans in light of a national Government programme to give free education to more two-year-olds, which could lead to a possible shortfall of more than 2,500 spaces at nurseries and childminders across Bradford.

The change, which is being rolled out from September, could be hampered locally by a major shortfall in places for eligible two-year-olds, a Bradford Council report has warned.

Currently, some disadvantaged two-year-olds can get 10 to 15 hours of free education, along with the 15 hours of free lessons offered to all children aged three and four.

The education, funded by the local authority, can be provided at state-run or private nurseries, child-minders or daycare.

From September, this offer will be extended to all two-year-olds in care or those from families eligible for free school meals.

And in September 2014, it is likely to be extended again to take in two-year-olds with special educational needs or disabilities, as well as those from low-income working families.

But this will leave Bradford with England's fifth-highest level of eligible children, according to a report by Bradford Council’s Children’s Services.

It estimates that from September 2014, about 59 per cent of two-year-olds in Bradford – 5,200 children – will be eligible for the free lessons.

Presentations were given at the meeting by the Council’s Children’s Services department identifying progress made to address the shortfall, which included 1,075 potential new places in the pipeline.

The committee said they acknowledge the progress children’s services had made, but asked to review the progress made again further down the line.

The meeting also addressed plans to improve the regulatory regime in early childcare by increasing the role of Ofsted inspectors and to take a new approach to staffing by increasing ratios of children per carer.

Committee chairman Councillor Malcolm Sykes (Con, Thornton and Allerton) said: “We are going to again re-invite a representative from Ofsted to come to a meeting to discuss with us what they think their role is in this.

“We would like our comments to be taken back into consultation process.”