§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he will ensure that each eligible child who had a nursery place under the voucher scheme will have a similar place at the centre of their parents' choice, under the new arrangements. [22081]
§ Mr. WilsonI published on 27 November 1997 a major consultation paper,Education in Early Childhood: The Pre-school Year, which sets out the Government's vision of the way forward for pre-school education in Scotland after vouchers are discontinued in June 1998. The policy set out in the consultation paper has been widely welcomed, and I look forward to the detailed responses from many quarter which have already begun to come in, in advance of the end of the consultation period on 6 February.
Under the new arrangements, pre-school education grant will be available to support a part-time place for every child in the pre-school year whose parents want one. Local authorities, accountable to their local electorates, will have the lead role in planning and delivering pre-school education in partnership with centres in the private and voluntary sectors, and will be able to use their local knowledge to ensure that places are well matched to local circumstances, to the varied needs of children, and to the preferences of parents, at the same time securing the best value for public money. All centres in receipt of grant will be required to implement the same curriculum guidelines and will be liable to inspection by HM Inspectors of Schools to ensure a high quality of education.