HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 cc30-1W
Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number and percentage of three to four-year-olds having some form of pre-school education in the private, maintained or voluntary sector.

Mr. Dunn

The number and percentage of three and four year olds in England in January 1986 who were having pre-school education in the private or maintained sectors are given below. Information on pre-school education in the voluntary sector is not collected centrally.

Pupils aged 3 and 41 Percentage2
Private Sector3 28,643 2
Maintained Sector4 482,760 41
Total 511,403 43

1Full and part-time pupils. Ages at January 1986.

2Pupil numbers expressed as a percentage of the estimated 3 and

4 year old population.

3Non-maintained nursery and independent schools. Non-maintained special schools excluded.

4Maintained nursery and primary schools. Maintained special schools excluded.