§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what child care provision is made available by his Department for the use of staff; what is the cost to parents of this child care; how many parents used the facilities in the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what proportion of total staff used these facilities in the financial years (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [59731]
374W
§ Mr. MichaelMy Department is a member of a public sector consortium which provides a 60 place nursery. The consortium covers the cost of rent, rates and utilities. Parents are charged at a level intended to cover the costs of running and staffing the nursery. The current fee is £95 per week for a full time place.
Parents also contribute towards the costs of Easter and summer play schemes. This year the charge was £8 per day for the first child and £6 per day for additional children.
Parents usage of facilities 1996–97 1997–98 Number Percentage of total staff Number Percentage of total staff Nursery 46 2.0 44 1.9 Playschemes 49 2.1 55 2.4 Total of both schemes 95 4.1 99 4.3 In addition to these schemes my Department also supports a number of family friendly policies which include paid maternity leave at full pay, career breaks, paternity leave and special leave for domestic emergencies, part time working, jobsharing, flexi time and, homeworking. A review of the Department's Child Care Strategy is currently in progress.