Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21)

[F1 Part 3A E+W Inspection of children's centres

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 3A inserted (12.1.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 199, 269(2)

98D Inspections of children's centres: powers of entry E+W

(1) The Chief Inspector may, at any reasonable time, enter any relevant premises in England for the purpose of conducting an inspection of a children's centre under section 98A.

(2) “Relevant premises”, for the purposes of subsection (1), are—

(a) premises on which services or activities are being provided through the children's centre;

(b) premises of a relevant person which are used in connection with the staffing, organisation or operation of the children's centre.

(3) But premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling are not relevant premises for the purposes of subsection (1).

(4) An authorisation given by the Chief Inspector under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 12 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 in relation to functions under subsection (1)—

(a) may be given for a particular occasion or period;

(b) may be given subject to conditions.

(5) Subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (4)(b), subsections (6) to (8) apply where a person (“the inspector”) enters premises under this section.

(6) The inspector may—

(a) inspect the premises;

(b) take measurements and photographs or make recordings;

(c) inspect any children for whom activities are provided on the premises, and the arrangements made for their welfare;

(d) interview in private any person working on the premises who consents to be interviewed.

(7) The inspector may inspect, and take copies of, any records or documents relating to—

(a) the services or activities provided through the children's centre;

(b) the staffing, organisation or operation of the children's centre.

(8) The inspector may require a person to afford such facilities and assistance, with respect to matters within the person's control, as are necessary to enable the inspector to exercise the powers conferred by this section.

(9) Section 58 of the Education Act 2005 (inspection of computer records) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act.

(10) In this section “documents” and “records” each include information recorded in any form.]