HC Deb 01 March 1994 vol 238 cc685-6W
3. Mr. George

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement listing the five local education authorities that spent least on providing full and part-time places for children in nursery schools, units and classes in each of the last three years.

Mr. Robin Squire

This information is not compiled centrally.

16. Mr. Clelland

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of three and four-year-olds have a full-time place in a nursery school or class.

Mr. Robin Squire

Some 26 per cent. of three and four-year-olds were in maintained nursery schools and classes in England in January 1993. Children of this age may also attend infant classes; if these are taken into account the total proportion of three and four-year-olds in some form of maintained schooling is 51 per cent. The majority of four-year-olds attended full-time while the majority of three-year-olds attended part-time.

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children aged three to five years are currently in nursery or other educational provision; at what annual cost; what percentage of the age group is represented in this figure; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robin Squire

As at January 1993 there were over 656,000 children in England aged under five in full-time and part-time education in maintained nursery schools and nursery and infant classes in maintained primary schools. This figure represents 51 per cent. of three and four-year-olds. If children in independent and special schools and playgroups are included, the proportion rises to over 90 per cent. In 1991–92, the latest year for which accurate outturn data are available, local education authorities in England spent some £1,085 million on under-fives provision.

21. Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received about the provision of nursery education.

Mr. Robin Squire

My right hon. Friend has received a large number of representations on nursery education in recent months.