Pre-School Voucher Scheme (Hansard, 10 May 1996)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what qualifications will be demanded of those responsible for organising the provision of pre-school provision under the proposed voucher scheme. [28731]

§ Mr. Ancram
The consultation document "Pre School Education: The Voucher Scheme in Northern Ireland" describes the qualifications which the Government propose to require in respect of staff employed by providers under the scheme. These are:
Grant-aided nursery schools/classes: teachers(s) with qualified teacher status and qualified nursery assistant(s).

Reception classes in primary schools: qualified teachers and a classroom assistant.

All other settings: at least half of the staff must hold a relevant qualification in day-care or education.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision he has made for increased capital expenditure for the education and library boards to respond to his voucher scheme for pre-school children. [28733]

§ Mr. Ancram
No additional capital resources will be made available under the pre-school voucher scheme itself but education and library boards will be able to apply for assistance to meet the capital costs of additional nursery provision from the special support programme for peace and reconciliation. It will in the first instance be a matter for them to determine their own capital priorities in response to the scheme.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions exist to cancel the contract to be issued to a pre-school voucher company without cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [28735]

§ Mr. Ancram
No contract has yet been drawn up between the Department of Education Northern Ireland and any company in respect of the pre-school voucher scheme.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if providers of pre-five activity under the proposed voucher scheme will be required to meet current276W standards required in terms of staff qualifications and health and safety standards in nursery education; and if he will list all differences in requirements. [28730]

§ Mr. Ancram
Providers of pre-school education will be required to meet different requirements in respect of qualifications, depending on the type of provision which they make. The different requirements proposed are set out in the consultative document which I have recently issued on the pre-school voucher scheme. All providers will be subject to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978.