Nursery World - Children and Families Bill becomes law

The Children and Families Bill, which includes the introduction of childminder agencies, has been passed.

The Children and Families Act 2014 sees changes in the law to encourage growth in the childcare sector, help parents balance work and family life, improve services for vulnerable children, speed up the adoption process and help children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The Act comes into effect from September.

Childcare sector

Included within the Act is the measure to allow schools and providers to set up childminder agencies, a move that has been largely criticised by existing childminders and early years organisations.

Another key change is the removal of the legal duty on local authorities to carry out childcare sufficiency assessments, along with the right for nurseries and childminders to request an Ofsted inspection.

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