Part 1General functions of local authority: England

Information, advice and assistance

13Duty to provide information, advice and training to childcare providers

(1)

An English local authority must, in accordance with regulations, secure the provision of information, advice and training to—

(a)

persons providing childcare in their area who are registered under Part 3;

(b)

persons who intend to provide childcare in their area in respect of which they will be required to be registered under Part 3;

(c)

persons who provide childcare at any of the following F1institutions in their area (whether or not they are required to be registered under Part 3)—

(i)

a maintained school,

(ii)

a school F2approved under section 342 of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56) (approval of non-maintained special schools),

(iii)

F3an independent educational institution F4or an alternative provision Academy that is not an independent school;

(d)

persons who intend to provide childcare at any such F5institution (whether or not they would be required to be registered under Part 3);

(e)

persons who are employed to assist any such persons as are mentioned in paragraph (a) or (c) in the provision of childcare or persons who intend to obtain such employment.

(2)

An English local authority may, in addition to securing the provision of information, advice and training which they are required to secure under subsection (1), provide other information, advice and training to any persons mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) of that subsection.

(3)

An English local authority may provide information, advice and training to persons who do not fall within any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (1) but who—

(a)

provide or intend to provide childcare in their area, or

(b)

are employed to assist in the provision of childcare in their area or who intend to obtain such employment.

(4)

An English local authority may impose such charges as they consider reasonable for the provision of information, advice or training provided by them in pursuance of subsection (1), (2) or (3).

(5)

In exercising their functions under this section, an English local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State.