Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 March 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, what action he will take to ensure the continuity of provision of private sector nursery education for three and four year olds, under the nursery education grant scheme in relatively isolated communities which currently have a single private provider, where that provider withdraws as a result of the withdrawal of the ring-fencing of funds to local authorities.

Answer: Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he will take to ensure the continuity of provision of private sector nursery education for 3 and 4-year-olds, under the nursery education grant scheme in relatively isolated communities which currently have a single private provider, where that provider withdraws as a result of the withdrawal of the ring-fencing of funds to local authorities. [R] [155828] Margaret Hodge: From 1 April 2004 local authorities will be under a statutory duty to provide sufficient nursery education for all three and 4-year-olds in their area. Local authorities have been encouraged through published guidance, to grow provision using a mixture of Maintained, Independent, Voluntary and Private providers to support parental choice and take into account the needs of children and families.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c876-7W;418 c896-7W; 155828
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Finance Eligibility Grants Local government Pre-school education Nurseries Rural areas Ringfenced funding
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk