§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what steps she is taking to ensure that(a) the number of three-and-a-half, four and five-year-olds and (b) the quality of education of this group in nursery education in Solihull will be maintained following the implementation of her nursery voucher proposals; and if she will make a statement; [2650]
(2) if she will estimate the number of local education authorities where the quality of nursery education for three-and-a-half, four and five-year-olds will (a) improve and (b) deteriorate as a result of her nursery voucher proposals; and if she will make a statement. [2675]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe introduction of nursery education vouchers will be accompanied by measures to assure the quality of what is provided, which will be of benefit to parents in all areas. The funding mechanism is designed to ensure that if maintained schools continue to recruit pupils as they do now, there is no financial disadvantage. However, the number of four-year-olds in state provision will depend on parental choice, and on the response of providers to the voucher scheme.
Provision for other age groups should not be affected by the scheme.