People who put forward views to a government consultation on the provision of pre-school facilities are being thanked.

The Department of Education requested comments last month, on a plan to offer free nursery places to all three and four-year-olds in the Isle of Man.

At present, 470 part-time places are available, each for five sessions of two-and-a-half hours a week, representing a shortfall of about 240 places.

The consultation paper offered five options for how additional places might be provided, and when the consultation period closed on Friday, 99 responses had been received.

Deputy director of education Stuart Dobson said there were many interesting observations and suggestions, and the department would take time to review them closely, before formulating an action plan.

Next month Tynwald will be given a progress report by Education Minister Anne Craine.