Local authorities, as part of their duties under the Childcare Act 2006, need to ensure that there is sufficient childcare provision for the needs of working parents in their area for children up to the age of 14 (17 for disabled children). They will currently be developing their next childcare sufficiency assessment (to be completed by April 2011) and childcare sufficiency action plans. 

View statutory guidance for local authorities in carrying out their childcare sufficiency and assessment duties (published March 2010) by clicking here.

See also 4Children’s new publication, Partnership for Delivery: Meeting local need for 5–14 childcare.

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The Government’s ten year strategy for childcare aims to increase the choice, flexibility, availability, quality and affordability of childcare. This is demonstrated by the wide range of children's centres now in place and and ongoing developments in extended services activities and Safe Place to Be provision for young people accessible via schools and partners around the country.

Childcare and activity providers, get involved and ask your local authorities and schools questions such as...
“What childcare needs are there in our community/what childcare needs do you have?”
“How might we work together?”

Extended services include:

1. High quality, affordable childcare 8am-6pm all year round
2. A varied menu of activities
3. Parenting support
4. Swift and easy access to specialist support services
5. Wider community access to school facilities

“As childcare providers, we need to let schools know how we can support them. We need to share our information, skills and best practice so that others can utilise these – leading by example.”
Jackie Deacon, Childminder and Manager of PJs Helping Hands

Policy into Practice is a briefing sheet series from 4Children to support childcare and activity providers to get involved and develop their services to meet the needs of children, young people and families in their communities.

Download Policy into Practice series:
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Issue 6
Issue 7
Issue 8

Regional Development Managers
Supported by the Department for Education, 4Children’s dedicated team of Regional Development Managers and network of specialist consultants offers strategic and operational advice on developing children’s centres, extended services, youth services and wider support for childcare. Since 2002, 4Children has offered strategic and operational support to over 100 local authorities across the UK.

They can support you with: Fast Track consultancy support, quality assurance guidance, regional advisory support and much more.

Click here to view regions and their managers

For more information please contact: 
4Children
Phone  020 7512 2100
Email info@4Children.org.uk