Education Act 1996

17 Powers in respect of nursery education

(1) A local education authority may—

(a) establish nursery schools;

(b) maintain nursery schools established by them or by an authority which was a local education authority within the meaning of any enactment repealed by the [1944 c. 31.] Education Act 1944 or an earlier Act; and

(c) assist any nursery school not so established.

(2) Section 14(4) does not affect a local education authority’s power under section 16(1) to establish, maintain and assist schools at which education is provided both for children under the age of five and for older pupils (including schools at which there are nursery classes for children under the age of five).