§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement about the value of nursery education in enhancing the performance of pupils at key stage 1 of the national curriculum; and what action he intends to take in the light of the evidence which is available to his Department on this subject.
§ Mr. ForthVarious research findings have indicated that nursery education has benefits in preparing many children for their primary schooling. There is no conclusive evidence of its benefits over the longer term or of its cost effectiveness relative to that of other forms of under-five provision. The Government believe that the patterns of provision for the under-fives are best left for local determination in the light of the available resources.