HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1520-2W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what are the intended and actual frequencies of inspection by Her Majesty's inspector of schools for(a) local authority-run nursery schools and (b) private nursery schools. [34814]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

Her Majesty's inspectors of schools—HMI—inspect a sample of about 6 per cent. of local authority nursery schools and nursery classes attached to primary schools each year leading to a published report and follow-up inspection. They inspect nursery provision attached to independent schools. In addition, HMI has promoted self-evaluation in the pre-school sector by the recent publication of performance indicators for pre-school provision. Further inspection visits lead to the publication of aspect reports such as the HMI report "The Education of Children Under Five in Scotland." Further consideration will be given to future patterns of inspection in the context of the Government's current initiative on pre-school education.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will estimate the cost of administering a voucher scheme for nursery education; and if such administration will include checks on fraud and exchange or the sale of vouchers. [34815]

Mr. Robertson

As my right hon. Friend announced on 6 July, we shall be consulting on the detail of the voucher scheme in Scotland. It would be premature to comment on specific details of the scheme in advance of that consultation but necessary safeguards will be included.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate how many new private nursery schools will open in the highlands and islands following the introduction of a voucher scheme. [34816]

Mr. Robertson

At this stage, it is not possible to forecast how many private nurseries or playgroups may open in the highlands and islands following the introduction of the voucher schemes. The position will become clearer in due course.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the capital and revenue of providing nursery school places for all children in the three to five-year age group. [34817]

Mr. Robertson

The revenue cost of local authority nursery schools and classes for children aged two to five in 1993–94, the most recent year for which returns are available, was £62.2 million. In September 1993, 47,682 children aged three to five were in a mix of full-time and part-time local authority nursery schools or classes. Children generally enter primary school in Scotland in August where their fifth birthday falls between the previous March and the following February. Excluding five-year-olds, the estimated revenue cost of providing the same mix of nursery education for all three and four-year-olds in the year given would have been around £162 million. Information on the associated capital costs is not available centrally.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide(a) a breakdown of the completed nursery school building programme, and the conversion of primary school classrooms for nursery education in each year since 1979 and (b) a breakdown of present such programmes by local education authority, together with location and cost of each proposed development. [34818]

Mr. Robertson

Information in the form requested is not available centrally.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the information collected for the Scottish Education Department's 1988 review of provision for under-sixes; and if he will order and publish an update of that information. [34819]

Mr. Robertson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to do so. The position regarding pre-school provision has changed significantly since that review was undertaken. Since then, there has been a large increase in provision by education authorities as well as by the voluntary and private sector. The new initiative, based on vouchers, which my right hon. Friend announced on 6 July 1995 will build on that progress but also offer parents real choice.

More generally, information on levels of provision for pre-school education in Scotland is now published on a regular basis by the Scottish Office in statistical bulletins.