Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to those who have taken part in this short debate. I take some comfort from what the Minister said about the letter from the Children’s Minister to all directors of children’s services. It would be good if I could have sight of that letter; perhaps that can be arranged. I am pleased that she emphasised that high-quality provision should not be threatened by the way in which the directors of children services implement this new formula. I hope that it will be borne in mind that high quality usually costs more. I agree with the Government that top-up fees should not be allowed because that would get in the way of equity and some families could not afford to pay them. It is important that the high-quality specialist provision being offered to the most vulnerable children can be afforded. It would be disastrous if some of these centres had to close. How will this be monitored? I accept that the survey to which I referred was about four months ago, which is not a long time—and, yes, things have moved on a little since then—but there is enormous worry among some of the very best early year settings about their ability to carry on delivering for the most needy children. It would be disastrous if local authorities went off at a tangent and did not do what the Government think they are going to do. How will the Government monitor that the system is working in the way that they clearly intend it to work? I am sure the Government’s intentions are right in this matter but the proof of the pudding is in how many high-quality nurseries have to close and how many children with special needs do not get that vital early intervention that can prevent so many problems later. The Minister has a frown on his face. Shall I go on a bit longer while he reads his note?