Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 March 2000. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 27 March 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many childcare places for under-8s have been available in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the breakdown of places available through (a) day nurseries, (b) pre-school playgroups and (c) child minders. - Includes table and ref to Statistical Volume "Children's Day care Facilities at 31 March 1999", in Library.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many child care places for under-8s have been available in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the breakdown of places available through (a) day nurseries, (b) pre-school playgroups and (c) child minders. [116083] Ms Hodge: The available information is shown in the following table. This information was also published on 22 December 1999 in the Statistical Volume "Children's Day care Facilities at 31 March 1999", which is available in the Library. Child care places in day nurseries, child minders and playgroups, 1997-99 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. As at 31 March Day nurseries{1} Total places Child minders{2} Total places Playgroups{1} Total places 1999{3} 247,700 337,000 347,200 1998{3} 223,000 370,700 383,600 1997{3} 193,800 365,200 383,700 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The totals include local authority provided, registered and non-registered for day nurseries, and playgroups. {2} Local authority provided and other registered persons for child minders. {3} These figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 as appropriate.

Secondary information