Nursery World - Childcare Bill puts onus on councils

Local authorities will be legally required to make sure there are enough childcare places for working parents in their area, in particular those on low incomes or with disabled children, in plans published by the DfES last week. The consultation on the Childcare Bill proposes new legislation, which for the first time gives parents a legal right to accessible, high-quality childcare and early years provision. It is expected to become law by 2008.

The consultation on the Childcare Bill proposes new legislation, which for the first time gives parents a legal right to accessible, high-quality childcare and early years provision. It is expected to become law by 2008.

The DfES said it was looking for views on plans 'to place early years services and childcare on a secure long-term footing' and ways to reform the regulation and inspection regimes for childcare and early years. Under the plans, local authorities must:

* provide sufficient childcare for children up to 14 (or 16 for disabled children)

* give parents with children aged nought to 19 access to a full range of parenting information

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