Children and Families Act 2014

PART 4 Voluntary registration with childminder agency

27 The Childcare Act 2006 is amended as follows.

28 In section 65 (special procedure for persons already registered), in the title, at the end insert “in a childcare register”.

29 After section 65 insert—

“Voluntary registration of persons registered with childminder agencies

65A Procedure for persons already registered with a childminder agency

(1) A person who is registered as an early years childminder with an early years childminder agency or as a later years childminder with a later years childminder agency may give notice to the agency that he or she wishes to be registered with the agency in respect of the provision in England of—

(a) later years childminding for a child who has attained the age of eight;

(b) early years childminding or later years childminding for a child who has not attained that age but in respect of which the person is not required to be registered under Chapter 2 or 3.

(2) If a person gives notice to an agency under subsection (1), the agency must—

(a) register the person in the register maintained by the agency as a childminder registered under this Chapter, and

(b) give the person a certificate of registration stating that he or she is so registered.

(3) A person who is registered as an early years provider (other than a childminder) with an early years childminder agency or as a later years provider (other than a childminder) with a later years childminder agency in respect of particular premises may give notice to the agency that he or she wishes to be registered with the agency in respect of the provision on the same premises of—

(a) later years provision (other than later years childminding) for a child who has attained the age of eight;

(b) early years provision or later years provision (other than early years or later years childminding) for a child who has not attained that age but in respect of which the person is not required to be registered under Chapter 2 or 3.

(4) If a person gives notice to an agency under subsection (3), the agency must—

(a) register the person in the register maintained by the agency as a provider of childcare (other than a childminder) registered under this Chapter, in respect of the premises, and

(b) give the person a certificate of registration stating that he or she is so registered.

(5) A certificate of registration given to the applicant in pursuance of subsection (2) or (4) must contain prescribed information about prescribed matters.

(6) If there is a change of circumstances which requires the amendment of a certificate of registration, the agency must give the registered person an amended certificate.”

30 In section 66 (conditions on registration), in subsections (1) and (5) for “under this Chapter” substitute “in Part B of the general childcare register”.

31 (1) Section 67 (regulations governing activities) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (4)—

(a) after “Chief Inspector” insert “, early years childminder agencies or later years childminder agencies”, and

(b) omit “his”.

(3) In subsection (5)—

(a) after “Chief Inspector” insert “, early years childminder agencies or later years childminder agencies”, and

(b) omit “his”.

(4) In subsection (6) after paragraph (a) (and before the “or” which follows it) insert—

“(aa) by early years childminder agencies or later years childminder agencies in the exercise of functions under this Part,”.