§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is her policy to expand and increase Nursery Nurses Examination Board courses; and if she will introduce improvements in salaries for qualified nursery nurses.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe White Paper and DES circular 2/73 set out my right hon. Friend's plans for the expansion of nursery education, including that of courses provided by local education authorities for the examinations of the National Nursery Examination Board.
The negotiation of salaries for qualified nursery nurses in public employment is a matter for the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' APT and C Services.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make additional courses available for the training of more nursery teachers; and what refresher/conversion courses are to be made available.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasMy right hon. Friend is actively considering the pattern of training provision required to meet the needs of the White Paper policy on teacher supply, including those of the nursery expansion programme. Guidance will be given to colleges of education this summer about intakes to initial training courses in 1974.
Refresher and conversion courses will be needed where there is a demand from teachers who wish to turn to nursery education after experience of teaching older children or after an interval in service. My right hon. Friend is currently considering a number of proposals for such courses; some have already been approved.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that there will be adequate facilities for practical training for both 138W nursery teachers and student nursery nurses during the next five years.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasAs the number of children under five in school increases, it is expected that more suitable places will become available for practical training for both teacher and nursery nurse students. My right hon. Friend will keep the situation under review.