| |
Home
News Centre
Popular
Questions
Publications
FoI
Publications Scheme
Research
Consultations
Our
Strategy
Speeches
Statistics
Inside
the Department
Cymraeg/Welsh
Links
Contact Us
Help
User guide
|
|
FORTHCOMING CHILDCARE BILL WILL BE CORNERSTONE OF CHILDCARE VISION HUGHES
01 November 2005
Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes today announced further details to the proposed Childcare Bill following a consultation on the plans.
In particular she announced that the proposed Ofsted Childcare Register will be compulsory for providers for children from the end of the Foundation Stage to age 8. Speaking at the Daycare Trust annual conference Beverley Hughes said: “The forthcoming 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. “It has been essential that we develop these proposals by building on existing good practice and an understanding of what works best for children. “Ensuring children, particularly young children, are safe when receiving childcare is a key concern for us all. I can announce today that registration will be compulsory for childcare providers for children up to age 8, whilst remaining voluntary for those providing care for children up to 14. “This fits with our overall aim for the Bill that it should drive up quality, ensure children are safe and simplify the existing bureaucratic regime.” Beverley Hughes said that the forthcoming Bill would introduce a new legal framework for regulating and inspecting early education and childcare by 2008, integrating the different requirements for education and childcare in a coherent way. It would include: a single quality framework which will integrate care and learning from birth to the end of the foundation stage; and an Ofsted Childcare Register for provision for school age children. This will build on existing legislation surrounding suitable persons and health and safety, but also, for example, stipulate child: adult ratios and suitable qualifications. While registration will continue to be voluntary for providers caring for children from 8 to 14, it will be compulsory for all childcare providers for children from the end of the Foundation Stage to age 8 to join the Ofsted Childcare Register. In addition, the Bill will set down new duties for Local Authorities, which have radical implications for changing the terms that children and parents can expect from today’s welfare state. The Bill will require Local Authorities to: Secure sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents, and those seeking work; Improve outcomes for children up to 5, and close the gap between those with the poorest outcomes and the rest, through ensuring access to integrated early childhood services; and Ensure parents have access to the full range of information they require as a parent.Beverley Hughes said the intention was to publish the Childcare Bill in this parliamentary session, as soon as possible.
Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1 – A report on responses to the consultation on the forthcoming Childcare Bill can be found at http://www.surestart.gov.uk
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2005/0130
|
|
|
|
