AN EARLY years class has been opened at Winton Primary School in Ardrossan, allowing children as young as two to attend.

Thanks to Scottish Government funding, 30 children a day will be able to go to the new classes.

North Ayrshire Council confirmed the early years class will be available to many two-year-olds for free – but there is a strict qualifying procedure.

Parents of two years olds will only qualify for the service if they receive certain benefits.

A council spokesperson said: “In response to the increased entitlement for early learning and childcare in the Children and Young People Bill, North Ayrshire Council has opened a new early years class in Winton Primary School.

“This newly furbished playroom provides 20 places for three to five year old children in the morning and 10 places for entitled two year olds in the afternoon.

“Parents who are interested in a place for their child should contact the school directly and parents with two year old children should call Childcare and Information Services (CARIS) on 0845 351 3000 to find out if they qualify for a place.” Parents of two-year-olds are eligible for the free entitlement starting from the first term after their second birthday (where their second birthday falls on, or after, March 1, 2014) if they have a parent or carer who receives one of the following benefits: Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity or Severe Disablement Allowance, State Pension Credit or they are looked after, are under a kinship care order or are with a parent appointed guardian.

The extra hours for three and four-year-olds came into force automatically after an earlier decision by Holyrood.

The Scottish Government’s free entitlement for three and four-year-olds increased from 12.5 hours to almost 16 hours for the start of the school term in August of this year.

A spokesperson said the changes will help young children gain vital language and learning skills, improve their social development and help them do better at school.