HC Deb 22 April 2004 vol 420 cc633-5W
Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many playgroup places were available in each year since 1997. [163141]

Number of registered childcare places1 by type of provider England 1997–2003—Position at 31 March each year
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 22002 32003
Day nurseries4 193,800 223,000 247,700 264,200 285,100 n/a n/a
Full day care5 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 383,200
Playgroups and pre-schools4 383,700 383,600 347,200 353,100 330,200 n/a n/a
Sessional day care5 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 279,700
Childminders 365,200 370,700 336,600 320,400 304,600 n/a 317,200
Out of school clubs4 78,700 92,300 113,800 141,100 152,800 n/a n/a
Holiday schemes4,5 20S,000 256,500 435,300 6490,400 550,400 n/a n/a
Out of school day care7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 322,200
Creche day care7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 37,200
n/a = Not available
1 Figures have been rounded
2 2002 was a transitional year when Ofsted established its databases and validated the actual number of individuals and organisations that were providing childcare
3 The number of childcare places and providers are not directly comparable because they were collected differently
4Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities
5 From 1999, places at holiday schemes were counted once for each school holiday during the year. Prior to 1999, places were counted once only
6 Includes those schemes exempt from registration
7Data Source: Ofsted

With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards and the transfer of responsibilities for registration and inspection to Ofsted, childcare places are classified according to whether they are full day care, sessional day care, childminder, out of school day care or crèche day care places. Previously, childcare places were classified according to whether they were provided by day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs or holiday schemes. Figures for 2003 are not directly comparable with

Margaret Hodge

The information is not available in the form requested. The available information is shown in the table.

figures for earlier years because they are collected on a different basis. Some playgroups and pre-schools provide full day care and some former playgroups and pre-schools have converted to day nurseries.

Statistics on the number of childcare places registered in England were published on 19 February 2004 in a report by Ofsted "Registered Childcare Providers and Places in England, 31 December 2003'. The report is available on the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk/ publications.