HC Deb 28 January 1999 vol 324 cc405-6W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the proportion of teachers currently working with children aged under five years in reception classes who have been trained to teach children under five. [67994]

Ms Estelle Morris

This information is not available centrally.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department has issued to local education authorities on provision for four year olds in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [67996]

Ms Hodge

All providers of state-funded early education for four year olds must work towards the desirable outcomes drawn up by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and currently under review. The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership Planning Guidance for 1999–2000 requires Early Years Development and Childcare Plans to set out how reception classes will be structured to cater for the needs of younger four year olds. The draft Code of Practice on School Admissions encourages school admissions authorities to consider adopting a policy of deferred entry for young four year olds at the parent's request.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of four year olds in England are currently in primary reception classes. [67995]

Ms Hodge

The information is not available in the form requested. Fifty-six per cent, of four year olds in England were in infant classes in maintained primary schools in January 1998; infant classes include reception and other classes and exclude nursery classes. Early Years Development and Childcare Plans demonstrate how, in every Local Education Authority area, there is an early education place for every four-year-old whose parents want one in either the maintained, private or voluntary sector.