HC Deb 13 March 1934 vol 287 c189
49. Sir W. JENKINS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what number of nursery schools there are in England and Wales; what are the ages of admission and the ages they leave; are the children medically examined; if so, what is the percentage of medically defective children on date of leaving; and what is the nature of the defects, giving England and Wales separately?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

There are at present 58 nursery schools recognised by the Board of Education. All these schools are in England. Children may be admitted at the age of two and usually leave at the age of five. The children are submitted to periodical medical examination, and the defects discovered are similar to those found in children attending public elementary schools. No information is available as to the percentage of children suffering from defects on leaving these particular schools. They are all subject to the usual examination on entering the ordinary public elementary schools.

Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSON

Is it the policy of the Board to encourage nursery schools or not?