§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many four year olds there were in reception classes in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [85432]
§ Mr. Stephen Twigg[holding answer 5 December 2002]: The information is not available in the form requested.
The percentage of four year olds in classes not designated as nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England between 1993 and 2002 is shown in the table.
102W
Number and percentage1 of 4-year-olds in classes not designated as nursery classes2 in maintained primary schools. January 1993–2002—England Number of 4-year-olds educated in infant classes in maintained primary schools Percentage of 4-year-olds educated in infant classes 1993 3— 3— 1994 3— 3— 1995 3— 3— 1996 343,400 52 1997 345,200 53 1998 351,000 56 1999 353,900 57 2000 349,400 57 2001 3— 3— 20024 358,300 60 Since 1998, there has been a Statutory Duty on all LEAs to secure sufficient provision for all four year olds, whose parents want one, in their area. It is for each local education authority in consultation with their early years and child care partnership to plan and organise such provision: places are made available in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors.
1 Number of 4-year-olds in classes not designated as nursery classes expressed as a percentage of the 4-year-old population. 2 Includes reception and other class provision for 4-year-olds but excludes designated nursery classes. 3 Not available. 4 Provisional. Latest figures on under 5s' provision in England were published in Statistical First Release "Provision for children under five years of age in England —January 2002 (provisional estimates)", a copy of which is available from the Library or the Department's website www.dfes.qov.uk/statistics.