§ 3. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to increase the number of trained nursery teachers and nursery assistants.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Alice Bacon)As regards nursery teachers, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to her on 20th June—Vol. 766, c. 1298–9—and add that one more college has announced a course covering the teaching of both nursery and infant age groups. I shall be consulting the authorities affected by the urban programme about their training arrangements for nursery assistants.
§ Mrs. ShortI am obliged to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Would she bear in mind that day training colleges can give courses particularly for teachers returning to teaching, such as refresher courses? Will she also bear in mind the need for the training of nursery assistants, for this could provide for the mature woman working with a trained nursery teacher.
§ Miss BaconI will bear all those points in mind. I assure my hon. Friend that there will be sufficient people to staff the nursery classes, which we hope will be in operation very soon, under the urban aid programme.