Early Years,Progress in Developing High Quality Childcare and Early Education Accessible to All: House of Commons Papers 2003-04,268 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0102927332 ISBN 13: 9780102927337

Publisher: Stationery Office Books, 2004

Synopsis

This NAO report examines childcare and education provision for children below compulsory school age in England, focusing on developments since the 1998 National Childcare Strategy was introduced. In particular, it looks at progress in i) improving accessibility, including providing free part time early education places for all three and four-year-olds, creating sustainable new childcare places, and increasing the level of provision for disadvantaged groups; ii) making provision more affordable for parents; and iii) ensuring high quality services. The report is based on a survey of over 700 early years providers and 900 parents of children aged under four years about early years provision and includes an analysis of the Early Years Development and Childcare Plans for each English local education authority area. Findings include that although almost 100,000 new childcare places have been created for pre-school children since 1998 and the DfES is course to meet its targets for the provision of free part-time early education for three and four-year-olds, more needs to be done to ensure that much of this new provision is sustainable, as well as to build on progress made in closing the gap in provision in the poorest areas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Stationery Office Books
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0102927332
• ISBN 13: 9780102927337
• Binding: Hardcover