§ 24. Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the proportion of four-year-olds in reception classes was in(a) 1997 and (b) 2000; and if she will make a statement. [31424]
§ Margaret HodgeThe information is not available in the form requested.
The percentage of four-year-olds educated in classes that are not designated as nursery1 in maintained primary schools in England was 53 per cent. and 57 per cent. in January 1997 and January 2000, respectively. Early Years Development and Childcare Plans demonstrate how, in every local education authority area, there is an early education place for every four-year-old whose parents want one in either the maintained, private or voluntary sector.
Latest figures on under fives provision in England were published in Statistical Bulletin "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2001", a copy of which is available from the Library or the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.
1 Includes reception and other class provision for four-year-olds but excludes designated nursery classes.