Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she has taken in conjunction with the Department for Education regarding the situation where a deregistered nursery can reopen as an independent school; and if she will make a statement; [25137]
(2) what are her plans to deal with those who escape the provisions of the Children Act 1989 on registration of nurseries, by registering as an independent school. [25609]
§ Mr. BowisIf a private nursery school provides full-time education for five or more children of compulsory school age, it must register with the Department for Education, which will monitor the quality of the service being provided.
My Department works closely with the Department for Education and other relevant organisations to ensure that facilities offering services to young children are of an acceptable standard. We shall continue to keep these arrangements under review.