Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many nursery places within the Hereford and Worcester Local Education Authority were available for four year olds in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in January 1998; and how many are forecast to be available for January 1999. [50452]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisProvisional figures show that in the Hereford and Worcester Local Education Authority area there were 1,014 four-year-olds in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools, as at January 1998.
301WFrom September 1998, Herefordshire and Worcestershire LEAs have guaranteed that they will be able to secure a free, good quality place for every four-year-old whose parents want one in the maintained, private or voluntary sectors.