The Childcare Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016

Statutory Instruments

2016 No. 1257

Children And Young Persons, England

The [F1 Childcare Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments)] Regulations 2016

Made

19th December 2016

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1

The Secretary of State for Education makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(2), (3), (4) and (7), 2(1), (2), (4) and (5) and 4(2) of the Childcare Act 2016 M1 .

In accordance with section 4(4) of that Act, a draft of this instrument was laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

In accordance with section 2(3) of that Act, these Regulations are made with the consent of the Treasury.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Regulations title substituted (1.12.2022) by The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(2)

Marginal Citations

M1 2016 c. 5.

PART 1 E+W Preliminary

Citation and commencement E+W

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the [F2 Childcare Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments)] Regulations 2016.

(2) Parts [F3 1] and 5 of these Regulations come into force 21 days after the day on which these Regulations are made.

F4 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in reg. 1(1) substituted (1.12.2022) by The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(3)

F3 Word in reg. 1(2) substituted (1.12.2022) by The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(4)

F4 Reg. 1(3) omitted (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(5)(a)

Interpretation E+W

F5 2.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 Reg. 2 omitted (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(5)(b)

F6 PART 2 E+W A qualifying child of working parents

Textual Amendments

F6 Pt. 2 omitted (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(5)(c)

F6 CHAPTER 1 E+W Conditions relating to a qualifying child of working parents

Description of a qualifying child of working parents E+W

F6 3.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 CHAPTER 2 E+W Conditions relating to a parent, and any partner of the parent, of the child

Specified conditions relating to a parent, and any partner of the parent, of the child E+W

F6 4.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Specified conditions relating to the parent, and any partner of the parent, of the child – foster parents E+W

F6 4A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The requirement to be in qualifying paid work E+W

F6 5.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Calculation of expected income E+W

F6 6.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Self-employed persons: start-up periods E+W

F6 7.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Qualifying paid work and work outside role as a foster parent: time off in connection with sickness or parenting E+W

F6 8.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Qualifying paid work and paid work outside role as a foster parent: caring, incapacity for work or limited capability for work E+W

F6 9.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partner of a parent of the child E+W

F6 10.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 CHAPTER 3 E+W Declaration in respect of a young child

Conditions to be met by the person making the declaration E+W

F6 11.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Being in the United Kingdom E+W

F6 12.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Declaration: form and content E+W

F6 13.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Electronic communications E+W

F6 14.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Period of time for which the first declaration has effect E+W

F6 15.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reconfirming declaration E+W

F6 16.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 CHAPTER 4 E+W Determinations

Determination by the Commissioners E+W

F6 17.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Determination by the responsible local authority E+W

F6 17A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 PART 3 E+W Information, reviews, appeals and penalties

Textual Amendments

F7 Pt. 3 omitted (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(5)(d)

Application to determinations made under regulation 17 E+W

F7 18ZA.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 CHAPTER 1 E+W Information

Supply of information E+W

F7 18.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unauthorised disclosure of information received under regulation 18 E+W

F7 19.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 CHAPTER 2 E+W Reviews and appeals of determinations

Rights to review and appeal a determination under regulation 17 E+W

F7 20.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reviewing a determination under regulation 17 E+W

F7 21.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extension of time limit for applications for review E+W

F7 22.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appealing a determination under regulation 17 E+W

F7 23.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of tribunal: appeals against determinations E+W

F7 24.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 CHAPTER 3 E+W Penalties

Penalties for inaccurate declarations E+W

F7 25.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Penalties for providing false or misleading information or statements E+W

F7 26.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Penalties for dishonesty E+W

F7 27.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assessment and enforcement of penalties E+W

F7 28.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reviewing a penalty E+W

F7 29.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extension of time limit for applications for review E+W

F7 30.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appealing against a penalty E+W

F7 31.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of tribunal: appeals against penalties E+W

F7 32.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8 PART 4 E+W Local authorities' duty to secure early years provision

Textual Amendments

F8 Pt. 4 omitted (1.12.2022) by virtue of The Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1134), reg. 1(b), Sch. para. 4(5)(e)

Duty to secure early years provision free of charge E+W

F8 33.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nature of early years provision E+W

F8 34.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Availability of early years provision E+W

F8 35.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Requirement on local authority when discharging its duty under regulation 33 E+W

F8 36.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arrangements between local authorities and early years providers: termination E+W

F8 37.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arrangements between local authorities and early years providers: requirements E+W

F8 38.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Having regard to guidance E+W

F8 39.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 5 E+W Consequential amendments

Education Act 1996 E+W

40.—(1) The Education Act 1996 M2 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 451(2A) (prohibition of charges for provision of education)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (a) omit the “or”; and

(b) at the end of paragraph (b) insert—

“or

(c) early years provision provided under arrangements made by a local authority in pursuance of any duty imposed under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016 (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision).”.

(3) In section 509A(5)(a) (local authorities in England: travel arrangements for children receiving early years education otherwise than at school)—

(a) the wording from “provided under arrangements” to the end becomes sub-paragraph (i); and

(b) at the end of sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“or

(ii) provided under arrangements made by a local authority in pursuance of any duty imposed under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016 (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision);”.

(4) In section 548(8)(a) (no right to give corporal punishment)—

(a) the wording from “provided under arrangements” to the end becomes sub-paragraph (i); and

(b) at the end of sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“or

(ii) provided under arrangements made by a local authority in pursuance of any duty imposed under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016 (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision),”.

Marginal Citations

M2 1996 c. 56. Section 451(2A) was inserted by section 17 of the Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21). Section 509A was inserted by section 124 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31) and subsection (5)(a) was amended by paragraph 23 of Schedule 2 to the Childcare Act 2006. Section 548(8) was amended by S.I. 2010/1158.

School Standards and Framework Act 1998 E+W

41.  In the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 M3 , in section 123(4)(a) (children with special educational needs)—

(a) the wording from “provided under arrangements” to the end becomes sub-paragraph (i); and

(b) at the end of sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“or

(ii) provided under arrangements made by a local authority in pursuance of any duty imposed under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016 (whether or not the local authority provides the early years provision);”.

Marginal Citations

M3 1998 c. 31. Section 123(4) was amended by paragraph 34 of Schedule 2 to the Childcare Act 2006.

Children Act 2004 E+W

42.—(1) The Children Act 2004 M4 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 18(2) (director of children's services)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (e) omit the “and”; and

(b) at the end of paragraph (f) insert—

“and

(g) any function conferred on the authority under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016.”.

(3) In section 23(3) (sections 20 to 22: interpretation)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (c) omit the “and”; and

(b) at the end of paragraph (d) insert—

“and

(e) any function conferred on a local authority under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016.”

Marginal Citations

M4 2004 c. 31. Section 18(2) and 23(3) were amended by section 16 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to, the Childcare Act 2006, section 194 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22) and S.I. 2010/1158 and section 18(2) by paragraph 264 of Schedule 1 to the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43).

Education and Inspections Act 2006 E+W

43.  In the Education and Inspections Act 2006 M5 , in section 135(1) (functions to which this Chapter applies and related activities)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (e) omit the “and”; and

(b) after paragraph (e) insert—

“(ea) any function conferred on the local authority under section 2 of the Childcare Act 2016; and”.

Marginal Citations

M5 2006 c. 40. Section 135(1) was amended by S.I. 2010/1158.

Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Education

Caroline Dinenage

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Department for Education

We consent

Robert Syms

Stephen Barclay

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are the first Regulations made under powers contained in the Childcare Act 2016 (c.5). The Regulations make further provision about free childcare for young children of working parents in England.

Regulation 3 sets out the conditions for a child to qualify as a child of working parents for the purposes of section 1(2)(c) of the Childcare Act 2016.

Regulations 4 to 10 specify the conditions relating to a parent, and any partner of the parent of the young child.

Regulations 11 to 16 make provision regarding the declaration which must be made in respect of the young child.

Regulation 17 makes provision regarding the determination that the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs must make as to whether the young child meets some of the criteria to be a qualifying child of working parents.

Regulations 18 and 19 make provision regarding the sharing of information with the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to assist it in making determinations under regulation 17.

Regulations 20 to 24 make provision regarding applications for review and appeals of determinations made under regulation 17.

Regulations 25 to 32 make provision regarding penalties for inaccurate, false, misleading information or actions in connection with a determination made under regulation 17.

Regulations 33 to 38 make provision regarding English local authorities' duty to secure that early years provision is available free of charge.

Regulations 40 to 43 make amendments to primary legislation consequential to the provision made in these Regulations.

A paper version of Destitution Domestic Violence concession referred to in regulation 12(1)(d)(ii) may be obtained by writing to the Home Office at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.