§ Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets have been set for the provision of extra child care places in Slough; how many extra places have been provided since May 1997; and how many more are planned. [151900]
§ Ms HodgeWe are unable to show statistics on child care places by local authority prior to April 1999.
Slough Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) set themselves a target to create 795 new child care places in the two years between 1999–2001. Between April 1999 and September 2000, Slough EYDCP has reported the creation of 243 new child care places, providing care for 464 children.
In addition to the creation of new child care places, from September 1998, all 4-year-olds in Slough have been able to access a free, part-time, early education place. From autumn 2000, Slough has been allocated 340 early education places for 3-year-olds funded through Nursery Education Grant. This increases to 378 places from summer 2001. By September 2004, all 3-year-olds including those living in Slough will have access to a free early education place, some of which will by funded be the local education authority.
52WSlough EYDCP will be proposing targets for the creation of child care places between 2001–04 in the EYDCP plan due to be received by 31 March. We will write again when this has been received.