§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many out of school clubs are operating in England; and how many places are available at these clubs for children aged(a) five to 10 years and (b) 11 years and over. [185359]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Department is unable to provide the data in the form requested. In March 2004 there were 9,200 registered out of school childcare clubs' offering 326,700 places for children aged five to seven years. At the same time there were more than 2,600 unregistered out of school childcare clubs' offering more than 89,300 places. These are mainly for children aged over seven, but also include breakfast clubs of less than two hours, which may cater for younger children and do not need to be registered.
The Government's objective is that all schools should offer a programme of out of school hours study support. For 2004–05, all local education authorities and schools have received Government funding through the School Development Grant to support such activities. This is in addition to funding to support the creation of new childcare places made available as part of the General Sure Start Grant for 2004–06. It is for local authorities and schools to determine what provision will best meet the needs of the young people in the area.
1 These figures include holiday play schemes.