§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list for each year since 1997 the percentage of rural parishes with(a) no nursery, (b) no parent and toddler group and (c) no pre-school play group. [91985]
§ Maria EagleThe information is not available in the form requested.
Figures on Day Care Facilities in England were published by the DfES in Statistical Bulletin 08/01 "Children's Day Care facilities at 31 March 2001" in October 2001, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on the DfES' web-site: http:// www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics
Statistics were collected at top-tier local authority level, not split between urban and rural areas. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring full coverage of both urban and rural areas within their areas.
£22 million has been allocated for a pilot project to develop 50 Mini Sure Start local programmes in areas with pockets of deprivation either in rural areas or in towns and cities that have small numbers of families living in poverty. Managed through local authorities, these Mini Sure Start local programmes are building on new Neighbourhood Nurseries and existing childcare facilities to deliver outreach, family support and additional health services. Of the 50 Mini Sure Start pilots, 29 are in rural areas.