§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what grounds local authorities are required to collect the names of 21/2-year olds attending local private and voluntary under-5 providers of nursery education. [HL1183]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonThere is no requirement under the Children Act 1989 for local authorities to collect the names of 2-year olds attending such provision. With the introduction of Early Years Development Plans, intended to secure a free nursery education place for all 4-year olds and which operate on a three-year cycle, local authorities will, in each68WA planning cycle, need to know the number of children within their area who will attain the age of four years during the period. This is so they can ensure that sufficient places will be available for all the relevant children.