According to Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw, half of those currently entitled to avail of the service, which is offered to children in care, toddlers with special needs or to families receiving government benefits, are simply not using it.
Highlighting the importance of the scheme, Sir Wilshaw draws on past research which suggests children from poorer backgrounds tend to underperform academically when compared to their wealthier counterparts.
Elaborating on the statistic, he said: "We know that children from poor families don't do as well as those from better-off backgrounds.There's a 19-month [achievement] gap by the time they start school in reception. That 19-month gap has to be made up in the early years."
Attempting to find a solution to the apparent lack of interest in the scheme, Sir Wilshaw suggested that health visitors be encouraged to play a role in advising parents on the advantages of availing of this service.
When initially established, the scheme targeted 130,000 of the most disadvantaged children, but within a year it expanded and subsequently offered services to over a quarter of a million youngsters.
Despite the Department of Education asserting that interest and enrolment has increased dramatically, Sir Wilshaw insists more families need to avail of the scheme in order to benefit their child in the long term, explaining: "The overwhelming evidence shows high-quality early years provision gives benefits that last throughout a child's life."
Sir Wilshaw asserts any child can be given a headstart in life should they avail of the 15 hours of free service a week.
