ONLY half of Scotland's children are guaranteed to receive full hours of government-funded nursery education, a report warns today.

The Reform Scotland think tank repeated calls for changes to the childcare system to end "birthday discrimination".

At present pre-school children can take up a subsidised nursery place in the term after they turn three.

But only those born between March and August will receive free hours for the full two years.

Children born from September to December will receive free nursery education for only 18 months, while those born in January and February just 15 months.

New figures published today by Reform Scotland show 50.1% of kids born in 2011 and 2012 will be able to access the full two years.

Over two years they will get 950 hours of free nursery education, worth £3916, based on Edinburgh prices.

Those born in January and February will only get 633 hours, worth £2611.

The Scottish Government is about to extend provision of free nursery care from 475 hours per year to 600 hours. The move will increase the impact of birthday discrimination, Reform Scotland warned, with January and February-born youngsters receiving only 800 of the 1200 hours they are entitled to.

Alison Payne, of Reform Scotland, said: "The solution is simple - just as all children are entitled to seven years of primary education irrespective of their date of birth, they should be entitled to a basic two years of government-funded nursery provision."