Explanatory note

These Regulations set out the matters on which an English local authority (“an authority”) is required to secure the provision of information, advice and training to persons providing, or intending to provide, childcare in respect of which they are, or will be required to be, registered under Part 3 (regulation of provision of childcare in England) of the Childcare Act 2006 and to the employees of such persons. They also describe the circumstances in which an authority is required to secure additional support through the provision of information, advice and training to such childcare providers.

Regulation 3(1) prescribes the subject matters which must be addressed as part of the information, advice and training that an authority must secure is provided to childcare providers and persons listed in section 13(1) of the Act, other than persons employed to assist in the provision of childcare or intending to obtain such employment.

Regulation 3(2) prescribes the subject matters on which information, advice and training that an authority must secure is provided to persons employed to assist in childcare provision or persons intending to obtain such employment.

Regulation 4(1) lists the specific matters on which information, advice and training must be secured for either of the groups mentioned above.

Regulation 4(2) sets out specific categories of children and other persons whose needs must be taken account of in any information, advice and training provided under regulation 4(1)(g).

An authority must secure additional support in the form of information, advice and training to a childcare provider in certain circumstances as set out in regulation 5. Those circumstances are where a provider has fallen below an adequate standard, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills in respect of that provider; and where a provider has been granted an exemption by the Secretary of State from the requirement to meet the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to further develop their childcare provision to meet those requirements.

A regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website, http://www.opsi.gov.uk.