HC Deb 18 March 2004 vol 419 cc471-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how mane new nurseries have been established in Buckingham since 1997; [161312]

(2) how many (a) Sure Start and (b) Early Excellence Centres have been created in Buckinghamshire. [161313]

Margaret Hodge

Since 1997, five new nurseries have been established in the constituency of Buckingham creating 150 additional places. There is a Sure Start local programme in the High Wycombe area providing Sure Start services for around 869 children and their families. A Neighbourhood Nursery attached to the Sure Start Centre is set to open in April 2004 and will deliver 50 new full daycare places. There are no Early Excellence Centres in Buckinghamshire.

Stephen Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 3 and 4-year-olds attended part-time nurseries on the latest date for which figures are available. [161654]

Margaret Hodge

The information is not available in the form requested.

In January 2003, 1,024,000 free nursery education places were taken up by 3 and 4-year-olds in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers in England.

The latest figures on provision for 3 and 4-year-olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin `Provision for children under five years of age in England— January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

By April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds in England whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.