§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to give financial support to parents in respect of the education of children aged under one year; and if he will make a statement. [32316]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 3 March 1998]: There are no plans to give financial support to parents for the education of children aged under one year.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the(a) total costs and (b) specific costs of (i) additional teachers, (ii) teacher training and (iii) premises arising from the extension of high quality early years education to three year olds; and what assumption of likely demand was used in his calculations. [32492]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 3 March 1998]: In January 1997 approximately 416,000 three year olds did not have an early education place in the maintained sector. The cost of providing free places for those children in the maintained, private or voluntary sectors at the current rate for four year olds of £1,100 for five two and a half hour sessions a week over 33 weeks would be some £460 million.