Wiltshire Council is not providing good enough support and development for early years provision in less affluent areas of the authority, Ofsted inspectors have reported today.

Just less than two-fifths (36%) of children living in disadvantaged areas and eligible for free school meals achieved a good level of development, making Wiltshire the third worst local authority in the South West region, Ofsted reported.

The findings into how Wiltshire is channelling extra funding to provide 15 hours of free childcare for two-year olds from deprived families followed eight inspections of childminders, pre-schools and an out of school club and nursery in a two week period in March.