KEY MEASURES

• New duty on local authorities to secure sufficient childcare (DfES).
• New regulatory and inspection framework for childcare and early education (DfES).

TERRITORIAL EXTENT

The proposed new duties on Local Authorities to secure sufficient childcare and early childhood services (including information to parents) would apply to England and Wales.

The Early Years Regulation and Inspection provisions would apply only to England.

COMMENTS

If you have any comments on the proposals you can email them to:

EarlyYears.BILL@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Bill will contribute to the implementation of the Government's 10 Year Strategy for Childcare. The strategy aims to ensure that every child gets the best possible start in life. It will achieve this by giving greater choice to families in balancing work and caring responsibilities, and improving the provision and quality of childcare.

Relevant documents are:

• Choice for parents, the best start for children: a ten year strategy for childcare - December 2004.
• Every Child Matters: Change for Children - December 2004.