Children Act 1989

RegulationsE+W

F179C Regulations etc. governing child minders and day care providers.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may, after consulting the Chief Inspector and any other person he considers appropriate, make regulations governing the activities of registered persons who act as child minders, or provide day care, on premises in England.

(2)The Assembly may make regulations governing the activities of registered persons who act as child minders, or provide day care, on premises in Wales.

(3)The regulations under this section may deal with the following matters (among others)—

(a)the welfare and development of the children concerned;

(b)suitability to look after, or be in regular contact with, children under the age of eight;

(c)qualifications and training;

(d)the maximum number of children who may be looked after and the number of persons required to assist in looking after them;

(e)the maintenance, safety and suitability of premises and equipment;

(f)the keeping of records;

(g)the provision of information.

(4)In relation to activities on premises in England, the power to make regulations under this section may be exercised so as to confer powers or impose duties on the Chief Inspector in the exercise of his functions under this Part.

(5)In particular they may be exercised so as to require or authorise the Chief Inspector, in exercising those functions, to have regard to or meet factors, standards and other matters prescribed by or referred to in the regulations.

(6)If the regulations require any person (other than the registration authority) to have regard to or meet factors, standards and other matters prescribed by or referred to in the regulations, they may also provide for any allegation that the person has failed to do so to be taken into account—

(a)by the registration authority in the exercise of its functions under this Part, or

(b)in any proceedings under this Part.

(7)Regulations may provide—

(a)that a registered person who without reasonable excuse contravenes, or otherwise fails to comply with, any requirement of the regulations shall be guilty of an offence; and

(b)that a person guilty of the offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 79C inserted ((E.) 16.3.2001 for certain purposes otherwise 2.7.2001 and (W.) 1.7.2001 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2002) by 2000 c. 14, s. 79(1); S.I. 2001/1210, art. 2(a)(i); S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(a)(2)(3)(with transitional provisions and savings in Sch.); S.I. 2001/2190, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in Schs. 1-3)