Three means free for York children - provided their parents remember that 18 will be too late.

Every child living within the city boundaries who has already passed their third birthday can have a free place with a nursery, playgroup, school nursery class or with some childminders.

But, the City of York Council warns, parents must sign their children up by January 18 or their youngsters will miss out.

"We want to ensure that no family wanting to take up this wonderful opportunity misses out," said Alison Wadsworth of the council's children information service.

And York working mother Beverley Taylor fully supported the message.

Her three-year-old daughter Ella was one of the first to benefit under the scheme, which began in September.

Since then she has been going three days a week to Kaleidoscope children's nursery in Foxwood Lane, York, learning academic and other skills through play and enjoying herself so much that at times she prefers nursery to staying at home with mum.

"I couldn't have afforded three days a week," said her mother. But the free places scheme enables her to work part-time as a training consultant for voluntary organisations - and has led to her child being more confident with other people and learning to count to 20 and write her name.

The council, together with York Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, are launching a campaign aimed at ensuring that as many parents as possible know about the scheme. Only children who are registered by January 18 will be able to take up free places for the spring term and their number will also decide how much Government money the council gets in future for three-year-olds.

Up to 1,160 children have already benefited under the scheme.