Every three and four-year-old child in Scotland now has access to a pre-school nursery place, according to the Scottish Executive.

New figures show that the number of three-year-olds in nursery education has increased by 5% compared to last year.

About 85% of three-year-olds and 96% of four-year-olds were in nursery education in 2001-02, the executive said.

Participation in pre-school education is voluntary and a number of parents do not wish their children to attend.

Pre-school education

Minister for education and young people, Cathy Jamieson, said: "As we pledged in our Programme for Government, every three and four-year-old in Scotland now has access to a pre-school education place to help ensure they get the best possible start in life.

"Today's figures show that parents are increasingly taking advantage of this provision.

"I want to encourage parents to take up the opportunity of pre-school education across Scotland - we will be working with local authorities to highlight the benefits and encourage expansion."

The figures show that 49,087 three-year-olds were receiving grant funded pre-school education in 2001-2002 out of 57,946 who were eligible.

Of 59,970 eligible four-year-olds, 57,496 are receiving pre-school education.