HL Deb 10 April 2001 vol 624 c180WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they propose to provide free school places for all four year-olds living in rural areas. [HL1612]

Baroness Blackstone

Since September 1998, all four year-olds throughout England have had access to a free nursery education place.

This commitment is delivered through various types of settings, including nursery schools, nursery classes in primary schools, voluntary and private pre-schools and childminders within a registered childminding network. The latter is particularly important in rural areas.

The Secretary of State announced in September last year that all three year-olds would also be entitled to a free nursery education place by September 2004.