§ 20. Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has evaluated on the effect of affordable child care on rates of participation in the economy. [48107]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthWe have evaluated a range of research and are commissioning further work to inform the development of the National Childcare Strategy. We know, for example, that more than 40 per cent. of main carers enjoyed an improvement in their labour market position when their children attended schemes set up under the Out of School Childcare Initiative.
§ 29. Mr. PlaskittTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he proposes for delivery of the national child care strategy at local level. [48117]
§ Mr. BlunkettI refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Alan Begg),Official Report, column 1237.
§ 36. Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the training and qualifications of child care workers. [48124]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthA skilled and competent workforce is a key factor in ensuring good quality childcare. The Green Paper, "Meeting the Childcare Challenge", sets out our proposals for improving training and qualifications for people who work with children.
We will establish a clear and comprehensive framework of training and qualifications for the early years and playwork sectors. We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to work with the National Training Organisations and others to take this work forward.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many childminders are registered with each local authority in England; how many children aged(a) under five and (b) five to 11 years are cared for by registered childminders in each authority; and what was the average charge for each full-time place in each local authority area. [48982]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe latest available information on numbers of registered childminders and available places for children aged under five and five to seven in each local authority area in England is shown in the Department of Health Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 1997 publication, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
Information on charges levied by childminders is not available centrally.
§ Ms SouthworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for providing appropriate information services as part of the National Childcare Strategy. [48111]
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§ Mr. Alan HowarthWe are consulting through our National Childcare Strategy Green paper,Meeting the Childcare Challenge, on how to ensure good quality information services in all areas which meet parents' needs. We want all information services to meet minimum standards specified at national level, and we plan to support a national childcare helpline.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that the new Further Education Funding Council funding for childcare-inclusive learning and basic skills summer schools are available to all FEFC-funded learners. [48974]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The FEFC intends to make the new funding for childcare provision available to both colleges and sponsored external institutions. The Council has already allocated the funds available for the basic skills summer schools and, in doing so, encouraged colleges to develop local partnerships involving external institutions and other organisations. Colleges will also be encouraged to involve external institutions and independent specialist colleges in the development and delivery of training for the second stage of the Inclusive Learning quality initiative.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been issued to local authorities in respect of the child care requirement arising from the implementation of the New Deal for Lone Parents. [48980]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe New Deal for Lone Parents includes help for lone parents to obtain information on childcare and some funding for necessary childcare when they attend interviews or take part in training or Employment Service programmes.
At national level, officials from my Department, the Department of Social Security and Employment Service have been discussing the provision of childcare with a range of interested bodies. At local level, the Employment Service is networking with childcare providers to be able to guide lone parents to childcare provision. At both levels local authorities and their representative bodies have been involved.