We already have a nursery place for every 4 year old. Today, I can announce for the first time that we will by September 2004 have a nursery place for every three year old whose parents wish it. It is of course up to parents of under-fives to decide what they think best for their children, and they may choose not to take a nursery or playgroup place. But we are making this investment because we want formal nursery education, from three onwards, to become as much a part of bringing up children as primary and secondary school are today. I appeal to parents to take their responsibilities seriously and think what is best for their child - what will help them best begin the process of learning and play, and how important it is for them to arrive at primary school with the confidence and social skills needed to make a good start.
Education is a partnership in which parents have a critical role.
We want them to engage much more in the education of their children than in the past. Their children need it. It can make a huge difference. And with the investment we are now making in universal under-five provision, there is no longer any need to wait until five or even four before building the partnership between parents and teachers which is so crucial to a child's success. But, conference, don't forget that if the Tories were in office, none of this would happen, because they would cut spending on education.