Day Nurseries (Hansard, 25 November 1986)

§ 7. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children attended day nurseries in the United Kingdom in each of the last six years; and what plans he has to increase the number of places available in day nurseries.

§ Mrs. Currie
In 1980 the number of places in local authority, private and voluntary day nurseries in the United Kingdom was 55,600. In 1981 it was 55,700; in 129 1982—55,300; in 1983—55,800; in 198—57,500; and in 1985—59,700. That is an increase of more than 4,000 during the six-year period, most of which has occurred in the past two years. The estimates we have seen for 1986 suggests a further increase.

§ Mr. Bennett
Does the Minister accept that much of that increase has been the result of converting full-time places to part-time places and that there is, in fact, a desperate need in many local authority areas for far more nursery provision in view of the increase in family poverty, the increasing number of one-parent families and the increase in child abuse? What discussions have the Government had with the Department of Education and Science to ensure that there is comprehensive under-fives provision rather than a fragmented service partly provided by the social services and partly by the Department of Education and Science?

§ Mrs. Currie
If the hon. Gentleman would care to look to his constituency, which is covered by the Stockport and Thameside local authorities, he will realise that since 1982 there has been a growth of 200 places in day nursery provision. I must tell him that that growth has occurred entirely within the private sector. I congratulate the private sector and hope that the hon. Gentleman will welcome that growth and initiative.

§ Mr. Key
Has my hon. Friend had time to read the report of the Select Committee on Education, Science and Arts, which recommended the transfer of departmental responsibility for nursery education from the Department of Health and Social Security to the Department of Education and Science? Will she consider that recommendation as a matter of urgency?

§ Mrs. Currie
Given the provenance of the report, I am not surprised at its recommendation. However, I believe that the social services, the departments of local authorities and the Government's under-fives initiative would wish to retain some responsibility for the care of those children in families under stress.

§ Ms. Richardson
In considering the implications of the Sex Discrimination Act 1986, which has just reached the statute book, and which lifts the restrictions on times and hours of women's working day, can the Minister say how many of the inadequate number of day care places will offer flexible hours for women working unsocial hours and shift work?

§ Mrs. Currie
I am sure the hon. Lady will agree that day nurseries are not the only form of available resource for working women. For example, there are also 57,800 registered child minders, with places for 126,000 children. They provide an excellent service and their numbers have been rising sharply. If I may put it to the hon. Lady in this way, child minders are the most flexible resource of all. I am satisfied that the majority of children of pre-school age receive an excellent service. The service is intended for the children first.