§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been given to local authorities on the level of funding per child for places in early years education in 2001–02. [143588]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 21 December 2000]: Total Government expenditure on under-fives in England is estimated to increase from £1 billion in 1996–97 to £2 billion by 2003–04.
In 2001–02, we intend to create an additional 80,000 free new early education places for three-year-olds, increasing the number able to gain access to a place to 66 per cent. The annual grant rate will increase by 2.4 per cent. to £1,188 per place. Details of this rate have been given to local authorities in the early years development and child care partnership planning guidance issued recently.
The Government will continue to offer a free early education place for every four-year-old in 2001–02. From April 2001, funding for four-year-olds will be allocated through education standard spending (ESS). £122 million has been made available to fund providers who previously received nursery education grant for their four-year-olds. Guidance to early years development and child care partnerships makes it clear that the full value of this funding should be passed on to providers at the 2001–02 rate of £1,188 per place.