The government spends billions on free early years education. The theory goes that this is good for children, their parents and society as a whole. But does the evidence stack up? Despite the policy's lofty intentions, Professor Alison Wolf discovers that the results aren’t at all what anyone expected.

Contributors include:

Steven Barnett - National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University

Christine Farquharson - Institute for Fiscal StudiesLiz Roberts - Nursery World MagazineTorsten Bell - Resolution FoundationLynne Burnham - Mothers at Home MatterNeil Leitch - Early Years Alliance

Presenter: Professor Alison Wolf

Producer: Beth Sagar FentonEditor: Jasper Corbett

With thanks to N Family Club