§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the distinctions between maintained and private and voluntary (non-maintained) nursery schools that justify a minimum teacher:pupil ratio in maintained school reception classes for 4 year-olds that is 2.5 times lower in non-maintained schools. [HL1185]
§ Baroness BlackstoneHer Majesty's Government recognise that early years provision in maintained schools, independent schools and the private and voluntary sectors is regulated in different ways, even though the service provided for children may be similar. The Government believe a more uniform system of regulation would be appropriate, while preserving the necessary safeguards for young children, and issued a consultation paper on 27 March to seek views.