§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what subsidy is provided for(a) nursery places and (b) holiday play schemes; if he will list the organisations used by his Department for child care; and if child care vouchers are made available to staff. [30009]
§ Dr. HowellsDfEE is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for its staff and supports child care facilities which help staff to balance family and working life.
The Department currently supports holiday play scheme facilities on all of the Department's four HQ sites. It also provides nursery facilities on its Runcorn and Sheffield sites. Facilities are often shared with other government organisations, in particular with the Employment Service HQ in Sheffield and with the Office of National Statistics in Runcorn.
The Department meets approximately half of the full cost of nursery provision through making premises available and by a contribution to the provider's management fees. The exact level of subsidy varies according to occupancy and has fluctuated between 45–60 per cent. during the current contract. For play scheme provision, the Department normally meets approximately half the cost.
The organisations the Department uses for child care are Early Years plc and Kinderquest Ltd.
The Department does not issue child care vouchers to staff.