§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills it (1) how many children in Stoke-on-Trent, North have benefited from the National Childcare Strategy; and if he will make a statement; [177641]
772W(2) how many child care places have been created in Stoke-on-Trent, North since 1997. [177644]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Stoke-on-Trent, North. However, from April 1999 to March 2004, Stoke-on-Trent local authority created 3,660 new child care places helping some 6,451 children. This shows an increase in the stock of child care places, taking into account turnover of 2,169 helping some 3,895 children.
§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what qualifications in childcare are necessary(a) to be a registered childminder, (b) to work in a day nursery, (c) to work in a nursery school or class and (d) to work in a pre-school play group; and if he will make a statement. [177522]
§ Margaret HodgeThe national standards for under 8s day care and childminding require that
a childminder has completed a local authority approved childminder's pre-registration course and a first aid course within six months of commencing childminding;the manager in a registered day care setting, including pre-schools, play groups and day nurseries, and all supervisors where full day care is provided, have at least a level 3 qualification appropriate to the post;at least half of all other staff in a day care setting should hold a level 2 qualification appropriate for the care or development of children.Staff employed in a teaching capacity in a nursery school or nursery class in a maintained school, should have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).