§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 521, what was the number and percentage of all four-year-olds, including the rising-fours and rising-fives, in (a) maintained nursery schools and nursery classes, (b) reception classes in primary schools, (c) private or voluntary sector provision and (d) pre-school provision overall, at the latest available date. [32065]
§ Mr. ForthMy earlier answer provided estimates of four-year-olds in maintained schools or some form of private or voluntary provision in England in January 1994. A more detailed breakdown is not available. From January 1996, the Department will collect information about rising fours—that is, children aged three in August whose fourth birthday falls between September and December. It is normal practice to exclude the rising fives—that is, children aged four in August whose fifth birthday falls between September and December—because they are of compulsory school age in January.