§ Mr. FallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage launched by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Barking (Ms Hodge), on Thursday 11 May, accompanied by a Departmental Press Notice, was not available in the Library on Tuesday 15 May; when he expects a copy to be deposited; and to whom the guidance has so far been made available. [R] [122953]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 19 May 2000]: I announced on 11 May the publication of the "Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage". This product, which addresses the early education of children, was produced jointly by my Department and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. It is intended primarily for early years practitioners and has been distributed widely to around 35,000 early years settings in the private, voluntary and maintained sectors. It has also been distributed to all other key stakeholders, including: Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) and local education authorities; teacher training and NVQ training organisations; other Government Departments including the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices; and a range of early years and teacher associations and early years professionals. The delay in making the guidance available to hon. Members in the House of Commons was a result of an administrative oversight, which was remedied as soon as it was brought to my attention. Copies of the guidance were placed in the Library two days later on 17 May.