Bid to end 'inequality' in Scottish nursery provision 14 January 2014 Last updated at 00:40 MSPs have been urged to change legislation to end "inequality" in government-funded nursery provision. Only half of children born in 2011 and 2012 will be guaranteed two years of nursery provision, according to research by think tank Reform Scotland. Holyrood's education and culture committee is looking at the issue as part of its consideration of the Children and Young People Bill. The Scottish government said it was committed to improving childcare. The government wants to increase the amount of free childcare from the current 475 hours a year to a minimum of 600 hours for three and four year olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-old children who are looked after by local authorities However, when free childcare begins depends on when the child's birthday falls. The current legal entitlement can vary by up to 317 hours or £1,033 depending on the child's date of birth, Reform Scotland has said. Support amendments Its research, published in November, showed a child born between 1 March and 31 August is currently entitled to two years' nursery provision before beginning school. A child born between 1 September and 31 December 31 gets 18 months and a child born between 1 January and 28 February, assuming he or she attends school aged four, will get 15 months, according to the research. While some variation will remain, whether a child begins nursery on their birthday, the month after or the following term, the system makes the best use of the entitlement in relation to the child's age and needs End Quote Scottish government The think tank has now urged MSPs to support amendments put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith, which it said would give all children the same provision. Ms Smith said: "We have given the Scottish government an opportunity to correct this anomaly, and it has to take it. It is a ridiculous situation that some children receive months less free nursery than others purely because of the time of year they were born. The SNP must swallow its pride on this and accept the only sensible course of action. It is an inequality that cannot be allowed to continue. Other MSPs have also called on ministers to bring forward childcare commitments. The Scottish government has said that after independence it would provide 1,140 annual care hours, for one to four-year-olds, allowing more parents to return to work. A phased approach means some expansion is expected this year. A spokeswoman said: "Ministers have demonstrated our commitment to making sustainable improvements that are affordable and deliverable, for example by providing £249m to councils to deliver 600 hours of childcare to three and four-year-olds and our most vulnerable two-year-olds, including those from workless households. Our current focus is to build additional hours and flexibility into high quality childcare, increasing entitlement to around 16 hours a week. This is a huge step forward in improving our young children's prospects and supporting parents. While some variation will remain, whether a child begins nursery on their birthday, the month after or the following term, the system makes the best use of the entitlement in relation to the child's age and needs. Parents of the youngest children - those born in January or February - will continue to be entitled to a further year's funded early learning and childcare if they feel it best for their child.