§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing the grant for pre-school education to cover four year old pupils whose parents wish to defer entry to primary school; and if he will make a statement; [81745]
(2) if he will list those local education authorities which are funding the pre-school education of four year old children whose parents have deferred entry to primary school until after the child's fifth birthday. [81746]
§ Mrs. LiddellWe believe that decisions on whether a child should have their entry to school deferred should be taken locally in consultation with the education authority so that the maturity and preparedness for school of each child can be taken into account on an individual basis. Anecdotal evidence suggests that around 5% of children have their entry to primary school deferred each year. The cost of financing these places through the pre-school education grant would be around £3.5m each year.
We understand that all local authorities fund a number of children who have had their entry to primary school deferred.
As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.