Richard Ottaway MP: Press releasses

PRESS RELEASE

17 May 2004

MINISTER CONFIRMS CONTINUING COUNCIL BREACH OVER NURSERY FUNDING

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has called for Croydon Council to speed up its attempts to resolve the ongoing nursery funding crisis.

"From a written reply from Children's Minister, Margaret Hodge MP (below),
it is clear that some Croydon families have yet to receive the nursery funding for
their three year olds which the Government has promised.

"It is all very well for Croydon Council and the Government to confirm that three
year olds are entitled to this funding but it is now weeks overdue. This is unfair
on both families and nurseries who need to be able to plan ahead.

"I am most concerned to hear from the Director of Education that funding
discussions are still continuing with the Department of Education on this matter
and that it could be April 2005 before this is sorted out; this funding should have
been in place by the 1st April this year.

"I am absolutely appalled that the shocking state of Croydon Council's finances is
impacting on the early learning opportunities for our youngest children and I
urge the Council to pay up now and keep the Government's promise."

ENDS

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Free Nursery Places (Croydon)

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether Croydon council is in breach of its obligations in the provision of free nursery places for three-year-olds. [171448]

Margaret Hodge: Section 118 of the School Standards Framework Act 1998 places a duty on all LEAs to ensure sufficient nursery education for children of the prescribed age. They must also have regard to a Code of Practice which makes clear that, with effect from 1 April 2004, and six months ahead of target, all three-year-olds are entitled to receive a free part-time place for at least six terms prior to compulsory school age. Croydon council has yet to confirm that all three-year-olds will receive that entitlement in full. I have asked my officials to investigate the matter and to work closely with the local authority officials to ensure that parents and children in Croydon are able to benefit fully from the free entitlement.