HC Deb 26 June 1997 vol 296 cc638-9W
29. Mr. Ivan Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to promote the integration of early-years education and child care. [4121]

Ms Estelle Morris

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear the importance we attach to the development of a coherent programme for the education and care of young children that, along with after school provision, helps parents who want to work juggle work and family life. We regard the integration of education and childcare as central to this. Good quality child care should be based on learning and child development, and should form part of a wider family learning programme. To achieve this local authorities will establish early-years forums to draw up early-years development plans which will show how these and other services for families can be brought together. Young children's services providing education and child care support, early-years development plans, after school homework clubs funded by the midweek lottery and the work already being delivered by the out of school child care Initiative, and meeting the needs of children, parents and employers, will form key elements of our overall approach.

Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to integrate early-years education with child care. [4431]

Mr. Alan Howarth

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear the importance we attach to the development of a coherent programme for the education and care of young children that, along with after school provision, helps parents who want to juggle work and family life. We regard the integration of education and child care as central to this.

Good quality child care should be based on learning and child development, and should form part of a wider family learning programme. To achieve this local authorities will establish early years forums to draw up early years development plans which will show how these and other services for families can be brought together. Young children's services providing education and child care support, early-years development plans, after school homework clubs funded by the midweek lottery and the work already being delivered by the out of school child care initiative, and meeting the needs of children, parents and employers, will form key elements of our overall approach.