§ Lord Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of annual grants to local education authorities in (a) England and (b) Wales to assist them in the provision of nursery schooling. [HL1039]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandIn England, local education authorities receive funding through revenue support grant through the calculation of education formula spending shares for early years provision. The under-five sub-block in the education formula spending share calculation for 2004–05 was £2.67 billion. Authorities receive funding based on the number of four year-old pupils they have and the greater of the number of three year-old pupils or 85 per cent of their three year-old population.
Local authorities may also draw on the general Sure Start grant, worth some £1.2 billion for the period 2004– 06.
The position in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.
§ Lord Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the number of fully-qualified professional nursery teachers employed by local education authorities in (a) England and (b) Wales; and [HL1038]
134WAWhat is their estimate of the number of nursery assistants engaged in nursery schools in England and Wales. [HL1053]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandIn January 2003, in England there were 1,490 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers, in maintained nursery schools and 7,190 in maintained primary schools who regularly worked in nursery classes. There were also 1,910 FTE teaching assistants (with certificate or diploma in childcare and education or equivalent) employed in nursery schools and a further 22,790 in primary schools.
There were 90 FTE teachers and 90 FTE qualified nursery assistants in maintained nursery schools in Wales in January 2003, and a further 2,500 FTE nursery assistants in primary schools. Data showing the number of teachers who regularly work in nursery classes in Wales were collected for the first time in January 2004 and results will be available later in the year.