To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) Sure Start and (b) under fives child care places are available in Hendon; and if he will make a statement. (118449)

Both of Barnet council’s designated Sure Start Children’s Centres are located in the Hendon constituency—Parkfield Community School and Children’s Centre and Wingfield Children’s Centre. These centres offer a full range of services including health and family support, full day care integrated with early learning and links with Job Centre Plus. Between them, the centres offer 91 child care places and reach around 2,192 children. Barnet council is planning to open a further four children’s centres in the Hendon constituency by March 2008 as part of phase 2 of the programme. The number of registered childcare places¹ for children under eight in Barnet local authority area was 9,300 as at 31 March 2006. The latest figures on registered childcare provider and places are available on: www.ofsted.gov.uk/.

¹ Includes full day care, sessional day care, childminders, out of school and crèche day care.