The Childcare Act 2006 (c 21) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Childcare Act 2006[1]
Long titleAn Act to make provision about the powers and duties of local authorities and other bodies in England in relation to the improvement of the well-being of young children; to make provision about the powers and duties of local authorities in England and Wales in relation to the provision of childcare and the provision of information to parents and other persons; to make provision about the regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England; to amend Part 10A of the Children Act 1989 in relation to Wales; and for connected purposes.
Citation2006 c 21
Territorial extent England and Wales, except that any amendment or repeal made by this Act has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.[2]
Dates
Royal assent11 July 2006
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended

Summary

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The Act defines new duties for Local Authorities with respect to:

  • improving the Every Child Matters outcomes for pre-school children
  • childcare for working parents
  • parental information services

Structure of the Act

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The Act comprises 4 sections:

  • Part 1 - duties on local authorities in England
  • Part 2 - duties on local authorities in Wales
  • Part 3 - regulation and inspection arrangements for childcare providers in England
  • Part 4 - general provisions

Early Years Foundation Stage

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Sections 39-48 introduce the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which supports the delivery of high quality education and care for children from birth to age 5.

Section 109 - Commencement

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The following orders have been made under this section:

Repeals

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This Act made minor amendments to various previous statutes.

References

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  1. ^ The citation of this Act by this short title is authorised by section 111(1) of this Act.
  2. ^ The Childcare Act 2006, sections 111(2) and (3)
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