To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pre-schools have closed since the introduction of foundation stage units in each parliamentary constituency; and what assessment he has made of the impact of closures on parental choice of education provision. (132840)

It is entirely a matter for local authorities how they organise pre-school provision in maintained settings. Some have, at different times, chosen to brigade provision for all foundation stage pupils together in what are sometimes described as “Foundation Stage Units”.

Data in the form requested is therefore not collected centrally. The total number of pre-school child care providers has stayed the same between 2001 and 2005 at approximately 22,000, with the majority, 84 per cent., in the private, voluntary and independent sectors. (DfES Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey 2005.)

The Government are committed to ensuring that parents have access to a range of high quality early education providers so they are able to choose the type and pattern of early years and school provision which best meets their needs and those of their children.