§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he will ensure that the needs of three year old children are appropriately met in pre-school care. [41660]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe pre-school needs of children up to the age of eight are safeguarded by statute under the Children Act 1989. This requires every local authority to keep a register of persons who act as childminders on domestic premises and also of persons who provide day care in non-domestic premises. The local authority has to be satisfied that those registered are suitable to be looking after children up to this age and have adequate regard to the needs of all children. The Department published, on 27 March 1998, a Consultation Paper on the Regulation of Early Education and Day Care.