§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has of the percentage of children of the age of three and four years currently in state nursery schools; and if he will make a statement. [31442]
§ Mr. RichardsSome 5 per cent. of three and four-year-olds in Wales currently attend maintained nursery schools, either full or part time. Almost another 31 per cent. attend nursery classes in maintained primary schools, and a further 36.5 per cent. attend maintained schools' reception classes, again either full or part-time.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced on 6 July, Official Report, columns 517–32, our proposals to give all parents the opportunity to choose a publicly funded place in nursery education for their four-year-olds.