Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what action she has taken in conjunction with the Department of Health regarding deregistered nurseries reopening as independent schools. [25003]
§ Mr. ForthPrivate nursery establishments providing full-time education for five or more pupils of compulsory school age must by law register with the Department as independent schools. The Department works closely with the Department of Health and other relevant agencies to ensure that such establishments meet the statutory requirements for registration and make appropriate provision for pre-school age pupils. If they fail to do so, those establishments may be removed from the register and may not then lawfully operate as independent schools. We continue to keep these arrangements under review.