Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply only in relation to nursery education in England, prescribe for the purposes of the new duty imposed by section 118 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (“the Act”) (under which a local education authority must secure sufficient provision of nursery education for their area), the minimum age in relation to which that new duty applies (regulation 2).

The Regulations also make provision in connection with early years development plans which local education authorities are required to prepare under sections 120 and 121 of the Act. The Regulations prescribe–

(a)

the intervals at which early years development plans must be prepared (regulation 3(1));

(b)

the period to which a statement of a local education authority’s proposals for complying with their duty under section 118 contained in such a plan must relate (regulations 3(2)(a) and (b));

(c)

the matters which must be dealt with in such a statement (regulation 3(2)(c) and the Schedule);

(d)

the date by which plans must be submitted to the Secretary of State under section 121(1) for his approval of the statement of proposals (regulation 4(1) and (2));

(e)

the date by which plans (and modified plans) must be published (regulation 4(3));

(f)

the manner of publication of such plans (regulation 4(4)); and

(g)

the persons to whom a copy of such a plan must be sent (regulation 4(5)).