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Childcare Act 2006
The Childcare Bill, one of two work and families Bills in the Queen’s speech, contributes to the government’s aim to establish two and a half thousand children’s centres by 2008, and a further thousand by 2010.
The Bill is based on the ten year strategy, “Choice for parents, the best start for children”, published by the government in December 2004.
The Bill places new responsibility on local authorities to ensure there are sufficient childcare spaces in order to meet the needs of the area. Furthermore, the authorities will have to support the overall childcare market to ensure it meets the needs of children up to the age of fourteen, and their parents.
In addition, the Bill will reform the regulatory framework for childcare by establishing a new framework that would provide care for children from “birth to the end of the foundation stage”.
Speaking at a conference prior to the Bill's publication Children's minister Beverley Hughes announced that the proposed Ofsted Childcare Register would be compulsory for providers for children from the end of the Foundation Stage to age 8.
"The Childcare Bill will be good news for parents, for children and their families and a cornerstone in delivering our vision for early years and childcare," said the minister.
Progress
House of Commons
First reading: November 8 2005 (HC Bill 80)
Second reading: November 28 2005
Standing Committee D:
Remaining stages: March 9 2006
House of Lords
First reading: March 9 2006 (HL Bill 85)
Second reading: March 21 2006
Grand committee
Report stage: June 12 2006 (HL Bill 123)
Third reading: June 26 2006
House of Commons
Consideration of Lords amendments: June 28 2006
Royal Assent: July 11 2006
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