To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what funding his Department has allocated to the Graduate Leader Fund over the next three years; (247417)

The Department has allocated £305 million to the Graduate Leader Fund for the three years 2008-2011. This includes £232 million to be allocated via local authorities for early years settings in the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sectors to recruit and retain graduate practice leaders and £73 million to enable the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to establish a supply of professionals with Early Years Professional Status.

Of this funding, the Department has made £99 million available in the next financial year 2009-10. £75 million has been allocated for recruitment and retention of graduate leaders and £24 million to CWDC.