§ Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice since May 1997 he has given to local education authorities on funding early years provision(a) at school and (b) at pre-school nurseries. [100008]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe have provided policy and funding guidance to Local Education Authorities and early years settings through the "Requirements of Nursery Education Grant" document as well as our "Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership Planning Guidance", both of which are distributed annually. The guidance makes clear that early years provision must be 47W provided across all sectors, be appropriate to the age of the children and that new places for three year olds must not be in reception classes.