Written question asked by Claire Ward (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the availability of nursery places for (a) three year olds and (b) four year olds in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2004. - Including figures.

Answer: Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the availability of nursery places for (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2004. [196572] Margaret Hodge: Prior to 1997 the availability of nursery education was largely dependent upon geographical location and figures were not available. We have since invested more than £11 billion as part of an unprecedented expansion of early years provision. All four-year-olds have been entitled to a free part-time early education place since 1998. From April 2004 this entitlement was extended to all three-year-olds. Currently 93 per cent. of three-year-olds and virtually all four-year-olds are benefiting from free provision in the private, voluntary, independent and maintained sectors in England compared with 44 per cent. of three- year-olds and 98 per cent. of four-year-olds in 2000, the earliest year for which figures for all sectors are available.

Secondary information