OpenLegislation

Childcare Act 2006

2006 c. 21 · Enacted 11 July 2006 · Extends to England and Wales

Not fully up to date. 7 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 November 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 2 para. 22omittedAdditional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 Sch. 1 para. 6(i)
s. 75(3)(a)repealedSafeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Sch. 10
s. 75(3)(b)repealedSafeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Sch. 10
s. 47(1)repealedEducation and Skills Act 2008 Sch. 2
s. 47(3)repealedEducation and Skills Act 2008 Sch. 2
s. 113A(1)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 113A(3)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
An 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.[11th July 2006]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1

Contents

  1. Part 1: General functions of local authority: England
  2. Improvement of young children's well-being
  3. 1General duties of local authority in relation to well-being of young children
  4. 2Meaning of “early childhood services” for purposes of section 3
  5. 3Specific duties of local authority in relation to early childhood services
  6. 4Duty of local authority and relevant partners to work together
  7. 5Power to amend sections 2 and 4 Not yet in force
  8. Children's centres
  9. 5AArrangements for provision of children's centres
  10. 5BChildren's centres: staffing, organisation and operation
  11. 5CChildren's centres: advisory boards
  12. 5DChildren's centres: consultation
  13. 5EDuty to consider providing services through a children's centre
  14. 5FChildren's centres: transitional provision
  15. 5GChildren's centres: interpretation
  16. Provision of childcare
  17. 6Duty to secure sufficient childcare for working parents
  18. 7Duty to secure early years provision free of charge in accordance with regulations
  19. 7ADischarge of duty under section 7
  20. 8Powers of local authority in relation to the provision of childcare
  21. 9Arrangements between local authority and childcare providers
  22. 9AArrangements made by local authorities for the purposes of section 7
  23. 10Charges where local authority provide childcare
  24. 11Duty to assess childcare provision Repealed
  25. Information, advice and assistance
  26. 12Duty to provide information, advice and assistance
  27. 13Duty to provide information, advice and training to childcare providers
  28. 13ASupply of information: free of charge early years provision
  29. 13BUnauthorised disclosure of information received under section 13A
  30. Miscellaneous
  31. 14Inspection Not yet in force
  32. 15Powers of Secretary of State to secure proper performance etc.
  33. 16Amendments of Children Act 2004
  34. 17Charges for early years provision at maintained school
  35. Interpretation
  36. 18Meaning of childcare
  37. 19Meaning of “young child”
  38. 20Meaning of “early years provision”
  39. 21Interpretation of Part 1
  40. Part 2: General Functions of Local Authority: Wales
  41. Provision of childcare
  42. 22Duty to secure sufficient childcare for working parents
  43. 23Powers of local authority in relation to the provision of childcare
  44. 24Arrangements between local authority and childcare providers
  45. 25Charges where local authority provide childcare
  46. 26Power to require local authority to assess childcare provision
  47. Information, advice and assistance
  48. 27Duty to provide information, advice and assistance
  49. Miscellaneous
  50. 28Inspection
  51. 29Powers of intervention of Welsh Ministers etc.
  52. Interpretation
  53. 30Interpretation of Part 2
  54. Part 3: Regulation of Provision of Childcare in England
  55. Chapter 1: General functions of Chief Inspector
  56. 31General functions of the Chief Inspector Not yet in force
  57. 32Maintenance of the two childcare registers
  58. Chapter 2: Regulation of early years provision
  59. Requirements to register
  60. 33Requirement to register: early years childminders with domestic premises
  61. 34Requirement to register: other early years providers
  62. Process of registration
  63. 35Applications for registration: early years childminders with domestic premises
  64. 36Applications for registration: other early years providers
  65. 37Entry on the register and certificates
  66. 37AEarly years childminder agencies: registers and certificates
  67. 38Conditions on registration
  68. Requirements to be met by early years providers
  69. 39The Early Years Foundation Stage
  70. 40Duty to implement Early Years Foundation Stage
  71. 41The learning and development requirements
  72. 42Further provisions about assessment arrangements
  73. 43Welfare requirements
  74. 44Instruments specifying learning and development or welfare requirements
  75. 45Procedure for making certain orders
  76. 46Power to enable exemptions to be conferred
  77. 47Independent schools
  78. 48Amendments relating to curriculum
  79. Inspection
  80. 49Inspections
  81. 50Report of inspections
  82. Interpretation
  83. 51Interpretation of Chapter 2
  84. Chapter 2A: Regulation of early years childminder agencies
  85. Process of registration
  86. 51AApplications for registration
  87. 51BEntry on the register and certificates
  88. 51CConditions on registration
  89. Inspections
  90. 51DInspections of early years childminder agencies
  91. 51EReports of inspections
  92. False representations
  93. 51FFalse representations
  94. Chapter 3: Regulation of later years provision for children under 8
  95. Requirements to register
  96. 52Requirement to register: later years childminders for children under eight with domestic premises
  97. 53Requirement to register: other later years providers for children under eight
  98. Process of registration
  99. 54Applications for registration: later years childminders with domestic premises
  100. 55Applications for registration: other later years providers
  101. 56Entry on the register and certificates
  102. 56ALater years childminder agencies: registers and certificates
  103. 57Special procedure for providers registered in the early years register
  104. 57ASpecial procedure for providers registered with early years childminder agencies
  105. Regulation
  106. 58Conditions on registration
  107. 59Regulations governing activities
  108. Inspection
  109. 60Inspections
  110. 61Report of inspections
  111. Chapter 3A: Regulation of later years childminder agencies
  112. Process of registration
  113. 61AApplications for registration
  114. 61BEntry on the register and certificates
  115. 61CSpecial procedure for registered early years childminder agencies
  116. 61DConditions on registration
  117. Inspections
  118. 61EInspections of later years childminder agencies
  119. 61FReports of inspections
  120. False representations
  121. 61GFalse representations
  122. Chapter 4: Voluntary registration
  123. Process of voluntary registration
  124. 62Applications for registration on the general register: childminders with domestic premises
  125. 63Applications for registration on the general register: other childcare providers
  126. 64Entry on the register and certificates
  127. 65Special procedure for persons already registered in a childcare register
  128. Voluntary registration of persons registered with childminder agencies
  129. 65AProcedure for persons already registered with a childminder agency
  130. Regulation of persons registering voluntarily
  131. 66Conditions on registration
  132. 67Regulations governing activities
  133. Chapter 5: Common provisions
  134. Cancellation of registration etc.
  135. 68Cancellation of registration in a childcare register: early years and later years providers
  136. 69Suspension of registration in a childcare register: early years and later years providers
  137. 69ACancellation, termination and suspension of registration with a childminder agency
  138. 69BCancellation of registration: childminder agencies
  139. 69CSuspension of registration: childminder agencies
  140. 70Voluntary removal from a childcare register: early years and later years providers
  141. 70AVoluntary removal from a childcare register: childminder agencies
  142. 71Termination of voluntary registration in Part B of the general childcare register on expiry of prescribed period
  143. Cancellation etc. in an emergency
  144. 72Protection of children in an emergency
  145. Registration – procedural safeguards
  146. 73Procedure for taking certain steps
  147. 74Appeals relating to registration in a childcare register
  148. Disqualification from registration : early years and later years providers
  149. 75Disqualification from registration: early years and later years providers
  150. 76Consequences of disqualification : early years and later years providers
  151. Disqualification from registration: childminder agencies
  152. 76ADisqualification from registration: childminder agencies
  153. 76BConsequences of disqualification: childminder agencies
  154. Rights of entry
  155. 77Chief Inspector's powers of entry: early years provision and later years provision
  156. 78Powers of entry under section 77: requirement for consent
  157. 78AChief Inspector's powers of entry: childminder agencies
  158. 78BPowers of entry under section 78A: requirement for consent
  159. 79Power of constable to assist in exercise of powers of entry
  160. Reports and information
  161. 80Combined reports Not yet in force
  162. 81Information to be included in annual reports Not yet in force
  163. 82Supply of information to Chief Inspector
  164. 83Supply of information to the Secretary of State, HMRC and local authorities by the Chief Inspector
  165. 83ASupply of information to the Secretary of State, HMRC and local authorities by childminder agencies
  166. 84Disclosure of information for certain purposes : the Chief Inspector
  167. 84ADisclosure of information for certain purposes: childminder agencies
  168. Offences and criminal proceedings
  169. 85Offence of making false or misleading statement
  170. 85AOffence of providing provision other than on approved premises
  171. 86Time limit for proceedings
  172. 87Offences by bodies corporate and partnerships
  173. 88Unincorporated associations
  174. Miscellaneous
  175. 89Fees
  176. 90Cases where consent to disclosure withheld
  177. 91Co-operation between authorities
  178. 92Combined certificates of registration
  179. 93Notices
  180. 94Power to amend Part 3: applications in respect of multiple premises Repealed
  181. 95Certain institutions not to be regarded as schools
  182. Interpretation
  183. 96Meaning of early years and later years provision etc.
  184. 97Employees not to be regarded as providing childcare
  185. 98Interpretation of Part 3
  186. Part 3A: Inspection of children's centres
  187. 98AInspections
  188. 98BReports
  189. 98CAction to be taken by local authority on receiving report
  190. 98DInspections of children's centres: powers of entry
  191. 98EObstruction of power of entry, etc.
  192. 98FPower of constable to assist in exercise of power of entry
  193. 98GInspection of children's centres: interpretation
  194. Part 4: Miscellaneous and General
  195. Provision of information about children
  196. 99Provision of information about young children: England
  197. 100Provision of information about young children: transitory provision Repealed
  198. 101Provision of information about children: Wales
  199. Disqualification for registration under Children Act 1989
  200. 102Disqualification for registration under Children Act 1989
  201. General
  202. 103Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
  203. 104Subordinate legislation: general provisions
  204. 105Subordinate legislation: parliamentary control
  205. 106General interpretation etc.
  206. 107Financial provisions
  207. 108Isles of Scilly
  208. 109Commencement
  209. 110The appropriate authority by whom commencement order is made
  210. 111Short title and extent
  211. Schedule 1: Amendments relating to the curriculum
  212. Interpretation
  213. 1Paragraph 1
  214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  215. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  216. Education Act 2002 (c. 32)
  217. 3Paragraph 3
  218. 4Paragraph 4
  219. 5Paragraph 5
  220. 6Paragraph 6
  221. 7Paragraph 7
  222. 8Paragraph 8
  223. 9Paragraph 9
  224. 10Paragraph 10
  225. 11Paragraph 11
  226. 12Paragraph 12
  227. 13Paragraph 13
  228. 14Paragraph 14
  229. 15Paragraph 15
  230. 16Paragraph 16
  231. Schedule 2: Minor and consequential amendments
  232. Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42)
  233. 1Paragraph 1
  234. Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
  235. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  236. Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54)
  237. 3Paragraph 3
  238. Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
  239. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  240. 5Paragraph 5
  241. 6Paragraph 6
  242. 7Paragraph 7
  243. 8Paragraph 8
  244. 9Paragraph 9
  245. 10Paragraph 10
  246. 11Paragraph 11
  247. 12Paragraph 12
  248. 13Paragraph 13
  249. 14Paragraph 14
  250. 15Paragraph 15
  251. 16Paragraph 16
  252. 17Paragraph 17
  253. 18Paragraph 18
  254. Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56)
  255. 19Paragraph 19
  256. Education Act 1996 (c. 56)
  257. 20Paragraph 20
  258. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  259. 22Paragraph 22
  260. 23Paragraph 23
  261. 24Paragraph 24
  262. 25Paragraph 25
  263. 26Paragraph 26
  264. 27Paragraph 27
  265. Education Act 1997 (c. 44)
  266. 28Paragraph 28
  267. Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  268. 29Paragraph 29
  269. School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31)
  270. 30Paragraph 30
  271. 31Paragraph 31
  272. 32Paragraph 32
  273. 33Paragraph 33
  274. 34Paragraph 34
  275. 35Paragraph 35
  276. 36Paragraph 36
  277. Protection of Children Act 1999 (c. 14)
  278. 37Paragraph 37
  279. 38Paragraph 38
  280. Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43)
  281. 39Paragraph 39
  282. 40Paragraph 40
  283. Education Act 2002 (c. 32)
  284. 41Paragraph 41
  285. 42Paragraph 42 Not yet in force
  286. Children Act 2004 (c. 31)
  287. 43Paragraph 43
  288. Education Act 2005 (c. 18)
  289. 44Paragraph 44
  290. Schedule 3: Repeals
  291. 1The curriculum
  292. 2Other repeals