§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase capital expenditure on pre-schools; and if she will make a statement. [66270]
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§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 4 July 2002]We are already making a significant amount of capital funding available for pre-school provision. Over the two financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04, the Government are making available £40 million of capital funding for the provision of free nursery education places in disadvantaged areas.
In addition, up to £100 million of capital funding is available via the New Opportunities Fund in 2001–04 to create 45,000 child care places in neighbourhood nurseries. Early years settings may qualify to receive this funding by providing wraparound care in addition to sessional care.
Similarly, £6 million capital grant is available over the financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04 to provide modest help to playgroups seeking to develop the services they offer from sessional to daycare.