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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS


2007 No. 730

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, ENGLAND

The Childcare (Voluntary Registration) Regulations 2007

  Made 6th March 2007 
  Laid before Parliament 15th March 2007 
  Coming into force 6th April 2007 


CONTENTS


PART 1

General
1. Citation and commencement
2. Interpretation
3. Prescribed day for the purposes of the definition of later years provision

PART 2

Registration in Part B of the general childcare register
4. Applications for registration
5. Fee to accompany an application for registration
6. Prescribed requirements for registration
7. Certificates of registration

PART 3

Provisions governing the activities of registered persons
8. Matters prescribed for the purposes of section 67 of the Act
9. Matters to be considered by the Chief Inspector
10. Proceedings under Part 3 of the Act

PART 4

Disclosure of information for the purposes of applications to register and cancellation of registration
11. Power of the Chief Inspector in relation to information and prescribed requirements for registration
12. Disclosure of information: prescribed description of information

PART 5

Suspension of registration
13. Suspension of registration
14. Circumstances in which registration may be suspended
15. Suspension of registration: further provisions
16. Lifting of suspension
17. Right of appeal against suspension

  SCHEDULE 1— Applications under section 62(1): prescribed information and requirements
 PART 1— Prescribed information about prescribed matters
 PART 2— Prescribed requirements for registration

  SCHEDULE 2— Applications under section 63(1): prescribed information and requirements
 PART 1— Prescribed information about prescribed matters
 PART 2— Prescribed requirements for registration

  SCHEDULE 3— Requirements governing the activities of registered persons

The Secretary of State for Education and Skills makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 62(2), (3) and (5), 63(2), (4) and (6), 64(3) and (5), 67, 69(1) and (2), 90(2), 96(6)(b) and 104(2) of the Childcare Act 2006[
1].

     In accordance with section 67(2) of that Act he has consulted with Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England and with other persons he considers appropriate.



PART 1

General

Citation and commencement
     1. These Regulations may be cited as the Childcare (Voluntary Registration) Regulations 2007 and come into force on 6th April 2007.

Interpretation
    
2. —(1) In these Regulations—

and whose work consists (in a case within paragraph (a)) of caring for the child wholly or mainly in P1's home or (in a case within paragraph (b)) of caring for the children wholly or mainly in P1's home or P2's home or both;

    (2) In these Regulations, except in regulations 4(2) and 6(2), any reference to providing childminding or childcare includes a reference to childminding or childcare that is to be provided.

    (3) In these Regulations any reference to employing a person includes employing a person whether or not for payment and allowing a person to work as a volunteer, and references to a person being employed shall be construed accordingly.

Prescribed day for the purposes of the definition of later years provision
     3. The day prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (b) in the definition of "later years provision" in section 96(6) of the Act is the date on which the child attains the age of 18.



PART 2

Registration in Part B of the general childcare register

Applications for registration
    
4. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an application under section 62(1) of the Act for registration in Part B of the general childcare register[4] as a childminder must include the information set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 about the matters listed in that Part of that Schedule.

    (2) Where the applicant is not providing childminding at the time he makes an application under section 62(1) of the Act, the information prescribed in paragraphs 4 to 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 1 is not required.

    (3) An application under section 63(1) of the Act for registration in Part B of the general childcare register in respect of premises must include the information set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 about the matters listed in that Part of that Schedule.

Fee to accompany an application for registration
     5. —(1) The fee prescribed for the purposes of section 62(2)(c) of the Act (registration in Part B of the general childcare register as a childminder) is £100.

    (2) The fee prescribed for the purposes of section 63(2)(c) of the Act (registration in Part B of the general childcare register in respect of premises) is £110.

Prescribed requirements for registration
    
6. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the requirements prescribed for the purposes of section 62(3)(b) of the Act are those set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1.

    (2) Where, at the time he makes an application under section 62(1) of the Act, the applicant—

the requirements set out in paragraphs 11, 12 and 15 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 are not prescribed requirements in relation to his application.

    (3) The requirements prescribed for the purposes of section 63(4)(b) of the Act are those set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2.

Certificates of registration
    
7. —(1) A certificate of registration given to an applicant in pursuance of section 64(1) of the Act must give the following information about the applicant and the registration of the applicant—

    (2) A certificate of registration given to an applicant in pursuance of section 64(2) of the Act must give the following information about the applicant and the registration of the applicant—

    (3) The fee prescribed for the purposes of section 64(5) of the Act (fee for copy of lost or destroyed certificate of registration) is £5.



PART 3

Provisions governing the activities of registered persons

Matters prescribed for the purposes of section 67 of the Act
    
8. A registered person must, in relation to the early years provision or later years provision (or both) in respect of which the registered person is registered under Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act—

Matters to be considered by the Chief Inspector
    
9. Any allegation that a registered person has failed to meet the requirements prescribed in Schedule 3 or to have regard to the matter specified in regulation 8(b) may be taken into account by the Chief Inspector[5] in the exercise of her functions under Part 3 of the Act.

Proceedings under Part 3 of the Act
     10. Any allegation that a registered person has failed to meet the requirements prescribed in Schedule 3 or to have regard to the matter specified in regulation 8(b) may be taken into account in any proceedings under Part 3 of the Act.



PART 4

Disclosure of information for the purposes of applications to register and cancellation of registration

Power of the Chief Inspector in relation to information and prescribed requirements for registration
    
11. The Chief Inspector may, in the circumstances set out in section 90(2) of the Act, treat the prescribed requirements for registration as not being satisfied or (as the case may be) as having ceased to be satisfied.

Disclosure of information: prescribed description of information
    
12. —(1) Information is of a prescribed description for the purposes of section 90(2)(a)(iii) of the Act if it falls within a description set out in paragraph (2).

    (2) The information—

    (3) In this regulation—



PART 5

Suspension of registration

Suspension of registration
     13. The registration of a registered person may be suspended by the Chief Inspector by notice in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 14 for the period prescribed in regulation 15.

Circumstances in which registration may be suspended
    
14. —(1) The circumstances prescribed for the purposes of section 69(1) of the Act are that the Chief Inspector has reasonable cause to believe that the continued provision of childcare by the registered person exposes or may expose any relevant child to the risk of harm.

    (2) In this regulation "relevant child" means a child for whom childcare is or may be provided by the registered person.

Suspension of registration: further provisions
    
15. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the period for which the registration of a registered person may be suspended is six weeks beginning with the date specified in the notice of suspension given in accordance with paragraph (4).

    (2) Subject to paragraph (3), in a case in which a further period of suspension is based on the same circumstances as the period of suspension immediately preceding that further period of suspension, the Chief Inspector's power to suspend registration may only be exercised so as to give rise to a continuous period of suspension of 12 weeks.

    (3) Where however it is not reasonably practicable (for reasons beyond the control of the Chief Inspector)—

within a period of 12 weeks, the period of suspension may continue until the end of the investigation referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or until the steps referred to in sub-paragraph (b) have been taken.

    (4) A notice under regulation 13 may be given to the person in question—

    (5) If the notice is transmitted electronically, it is to be treated as given only if the requirements of paragraph (6) are met.

    (6) The person to whom the notice is to be given must have indicated to the Chief Inspector his willingness to receive notices transmitted by electronic means and provided an address suitable for that purpose, and the notice must be sent to the address provided by him.

Lifting of suspension
    
16. If, at any time during a period of suspension under regulation 13, it appears to the Chief Inspector that the circumstances prescribed in regulation 14(1) no longer exist, the Chief Inspector must lift the suspension.

Right of appeal against suspension
    
17. —(1) A person whose registration has been suspended under regulation 13 may appeal to the Tribunal[9] against suspension.

    (2) Subject to paragraph (3), on an appeal the Tribunal must either—

    (3) If the suspension of a person's registration against which an appeal has been made under paragraph (1) no longer has effect the Tribunal must dismiss the appeal.


Beverley Hughes
Minister of State Department for Education and Skills

6th March 2007



SCHEDULE 1
Regulations 4(1) and 6(1)


Applications under section 62(1): prescribed information and requirements




PART 1

Prescribed information about prescribed matters

Information about the applicant
     1. The full name (including any alias or former name), date of birth, address and telephone number of the applicant.

     2. The following information about any criminal convictions of the applicant—

     3. Details of any criminal offences in respect of which the applicant has been cautioned by a police officer after he has admitted the offence.

Information about the childminding being provided by the applicant
     4. The address of the domestic premises on which the childminding is being provided.

     5. The hours during which the childminding is being provided.

     6. The number and ages of children in respect of whom the applicant is providing childminding.

     7. Whether or not the individual is a home child-carer.



PART 2

Prescribed requirements for registration

Requirements relating to the applicant
     8. The applicant is an individual.

     9. The applicant is suitable to provide childminding.

     10. An application for an enhanced criminal record certificate relating to the applicant is included with the application.

Requirements relating to the premises on which the childminding is being provided
     11. The premises are suitable for the provision of childminding.

     12. The applicant has carried out a full risk assessment of the premises and the activities he will be providing and has taken all necessary measures to minimise any identified risks.

Requirements about the arrangements for childminding on the premises
     13. The childminding provided is provided—

     14. The childminding provided is safe and suitable for the children to whom it is provided.

     15. Any equipment used in the provision of childminding is safe and suitable for the children to whom it is provided.

Requirements about persons on the premises
     16. The applicant has a first aid qualification which is appropriate to the ages of the children for whom childminding is provided and to the nature of the provision.



SCHEDULE 2
Regulations 4(3) and 6(3)


Applications under section 63(1): prescribed information and requirements




PART 1

Prescribed information about prescribed matters

Information about the applicant
     1. Where the applicant for registration is an individual—

     2. Where the applicant for registration is a partnership—

     3. Where the applicant for registration is a body corporate or any unincorporated association other than a partnership—

Information about the applicant for registration
     4. In paragraphs 5 and 6, in a case in which the applicant is not an individual, references to the applicant are to be read as references to the nominated individual (if different from the manager) and the manager.

     5. The following information about any criminal convictions of the applicant—

     6. Details of any criminal offences in respect of which the applicant has been cautioned by a police officer after he has admitted the offence.

Information about the childcare being provided by the applicant
     7. The address of the premises on which the childcare is being provided.

     8. The hours during which the childcare is being provided.

     9. The number and ages of children in respect of whom childcare is being provided.



PART 2

Prescribed requirements for registration

Requirements relating to the applicant
     10. The applicant is suitable to provide childcare.

     11. The manager (if any) is suitable to care for children.

     12. An application for an enhanced criminal record certificate, relating (where the applicant is an individual) to the applicant or (where the applicant is not an individual) to the nominated individual (if different from the manager) and the manager, is included with the application.

Requirements relating to the premises on which the childcare is being provided
     13. The premises on which the childcare is being provided are suitable for the provision of childcare (other than childminding).

     14. The applicant has carried out a full risk assessment of the premises on which the childcare is being provided and the activities being provided and has taken all necessary measures to minimise any identified risks.

Requirements about the arrangements for childcare on the premises
     15. The childcare being provided is provided—

     16. The childcare being provided is safe and suitable for the children to whom it is provided.

     17. Any equipment used in the provision of childcare is safe and suitable for the children to whom it is provided.

Requirements about persons on the premises
     18. The registered person or another person caring for children on the premises has a first aid qualification which is appropriate to the ages of the children for whom childcare is provided and to the nature of the provision.



SCHEDULE 3
Regulation 8


Requirements governing the activities of registered persons


Welfare of the children being cared for
     1. Children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm.

     2. At least one person who is caring for children on the premises on which childcare is being provided has a first aid qualification which is appropriate to the ages of the children for whom childcare is provided and to the nature of the provision.

     3. In the case of a registered person who is registered under section 62 of the Act, the registered person is present at all times on the premises on which childcare is provided while the childcare is being provided.

     4. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is registered under section 63 of the Act, two persons are present at all times on the premises on which childcare is provided while the childcare is being provided.

    (2) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) shall require each person present to be the registered person or a person employed by the registered person provided that—

and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph a person is not suitable to work with children unless the registered person is satisfied that an enhanced criminal record certificate has been obtained in respect of that person.

     5. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, the registered person ensures, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person smokes, or consumes or is under the influence of, drugs (including medication that may have an adverse effect on the individual's ability to provide childcare) or alcohol—

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is a home child-carer, the registered person—

while providing childcare.

     6. —(1) The registered person or any person employed by him does not use corporal punishment on a child receiving childcare.

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, the registered person ensures, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person living or working on the premises where the childcare is provided uses corporal punishment on a child receiving childcare.

    (3) In this paragraph "corporal punishment" means anything done for the purpose of punishing a child (whether or not there are other reasons for doing it) which, absent any justification, would constitute battery.

Arrangements for safeguarding the children being cared for
     7. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, which is intended to safeguard the children concerned from abuse or neglect, is available and implemented.

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is a home child-carer, the registered person ensures he has appropriate knowledge of child protection considerations and procedures to safeguard children from abuse or neglect.

     8. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, no individual who is not suitable to work with children has unsupervised access to a child receiving childcare.

    (2) For the purposes of this paragraph a person is not suitable to work with children unless the registered person is satisfied that an enhanced criminal record certificate has been obtained in respect of that person.

Suitability of persons to care for, etc, the children being cared for
     9. The registered person and any person caring for, or in regular contact with, children—

     10. —(1) Effective systems are in place to ensure that any person caring for, or in regular contact with, children satisfies the requirements in paragraph 9.

    (2) As part of meeting the requirement in this paragraph a registered person must obtain an enhanced criminal record certificate in relation any person who is employed by the registered person and who is caring for, or in regular contact with, children.

Qualifications and training
     11. At least one person who is caring for children on the premises has successfully completed training in the core skills as set out in the document "Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce"[
10].

Suitability of premises and equipment
     12. —(1) The premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare concerned are suitable for the provision of that childcare and in particular—

    (2) In this paragraph "open access childcare" means childcare, other than childminding, under the arrangements for which a child, other than a young child, may leave the premises unaccompanied.

     13. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, a risk assessment of those premises and that equipment is undertaken—

and all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks.

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is a home child-carer, the registered person advises parents of any health and safety risks.

Manner in which the childcare provision is organised
     14. In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, arrangements are in place, with other providers of early years provision or later years provision, or with parents, for occasions on which the registered person is not able to provide the childminding in respect of which he is registered.

     15. The behaviour of the children is managed in a suitable manner.

     16. The childcare for children who have attained the age of eight does not have an adverse impact on the childcare for children who have not attained that age.

     17. —(1) No child is refused the provision of childcare or, in the provision of childcare, treated less favourably than another child by reason of—

    (2) In relation to a physical feature which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled children to make use of the childcare the registered person is treated as complying with this paragraph if he has complied with the duty in section 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995[13].

Procedures for dealing with complaints
     18. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, in relation to complaints—

    (2) In this paragraph a "complaint" means a complaint which—

Keeping of records (other than records of complaints)
     19. Subject to paragraph 20, in the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, in relation to each child who is cared for on the premises, a record is maintained consisting of—

     20. There is no requirement to comply with paragraph 19 in relation to a child if the childcare is open access childcare (as defined in paragraph 12(2)).

     21. In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, a record is maintained of accidents occurring on the premises on which the childcare is provided.

     22. In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, a record is maintained of any medicinal product administered to any child who is cared for on the premises including—

     23. In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, a record is maintained of the name, home address and telephone number of every person living or employed on the premises on which the childcare is provided.

     24. The records specified in paragraphs 19 and 21 to 23 are retained for a period of two years from the date on which the entry was made.

Provision of information
     25. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, the following information is made available to parents of children cared for on the premises—

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is a home child-carer, the registered person provides parents with information about Part B of the general childcare register and informs them of the address of the Chief Inspector.

     26. Subject to paragraph 28, if any of the events listed in paragraph 27 takes place, the registered person—

     27. The events referred to in paragraph 26 are—

     28. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, paragraph 26 applies in relation to events occurring while the registered person is providing childcare and in relation to any other events of which the registered person is aware.

    (2) In the case of a registered person who is a home child-carer, paragraph 26 only applies in relation to events occurring while the registered person is providing childcare.

     29. The Chief Inspector is informed of—

Other matters
     30. The registered person is covered by insurance in respect of liability which may be incurred in respect of death, injury, public liability, damage or other loss.

     31. —(1) In the case of a registered person who is not a home child-carer, the certificate of registration is displayed on the premises on which childcare is provided.

    (2) A registered person who is a home child-carer must show the certificate of registration to a parent on request.

     32. —(1) If a registered person other than a home child-carer is suspended by virtue of regulation 13 the notice of suspension is displayed on the premises on which childcare is provided.

    (2) If a registered person who is a home child-carer is suspended by virtue of regulation 13, the home child-carer must show the notice of suspension to each parent to whom he provides childcare.



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations make provision relating to the voluntary registration of childminders and other providers of childcare under Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006 ("the Act").

Regulation 3 prescribes the date when a child reaches 18 as the upper age limit for "later years provision" (as defined in section 96 of the Act). Consequently childcare provided for children up to the age of 18 can be registered voluntarily.

Part 2 deals with registration. Regulation 4 with Part 1 of Schedule 1 and Part 1 of Schedule 2 provides for information which must be included with an application for registration. Regulation 5 provides for the fee to accompany the application (£100 in the case of an application to be registered as a childminder and £110 in the case of an application by other providers or proposed providers of childcare). Regulation 6 together with Part 2 of Schedule 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 2 prescribes the requirements which must be satisfied for an application for registration to be granted. Regulation 7 makes provision for certificates of registration.

Part 3 contains provisions governing the activities of registered persons. Regulation 8 with Schedule 3 sets out requirements which must be met by registered persons and also provides that registered persons must have regard to the needs of children to whom childcare is provided. Regulations 9 and 10 provide that an allegation that a registered person has failed to meet these requirements can be taken into account, by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills ("the Chief Inspector") when exercising any of her functions under Part 3 of the Act, or in any proceedings under that Part.

Regulation 11 in Part 4 provides that the Chief Inspector can treat the requirements for registration prescribed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 2 as not being satisfied if consent to the release of certain information to the Chief Inspector is withheld. Regulation 12 prescribes the type of information in question.

Part 5 provides for suspension of registration. Under regulations 13 and 14 the registration can be suspended by the Chief Inspector if she has reasonable cause to believe that the continued provision of childcare by the registered person exposes or may expose a child being cared for to the risk of harm. Regulation 15 provides for the maximum period of suspension and makes further provision as to the notice of suspension, and regulation 16 provides for lifting of a suspension. Regulation 17 provides for a right of appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal against suspension.

Copies of the document "Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce" (ISBN 1-84478-375-8) referred to in paragraph 11 of Schedule 3 can be obtained from DfES Publications, PO Box 5050, Sherwood Park, Annesley, Nottingham NG15 ODJ (Tel 0845 6022260), Email dfes@prolog.uk.com.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations. It is available from the Department for Education and Skills' website http://www.dfes.gov.uk/ria/ and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website www.opsi.gov.uk


Notes:

[1] 2006 c.21. See section 98(1) for the definitions of "prescribed" and "regulations".back

[2] 1997 c.50; section 113B was inserted by section 163(2) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c.15).back

[3] 1989 c.41.back

[4] See section 32 of the Childcare Act 2006.back

[5] For the definition of "the Chief Inspector" see section 98(1) of the Childcare Act 2006, as amended by paragraph 117 of Schedule 14 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c.40).back

[6] 2001 asp8.back

[7] S.I. 1995/755 (N.I.2).back

[8] 1970 c.42. See section 1A of that Act, inserted by section 102(3) of the Local Government Act 2003 (c.26).back

[9] The Tribunal established by section 9 of the Protection of Children Act 1999 (c.14).back

[10] ISBN 1-84478-375-8.back

[11] For the definition of "young child" in the Childcare Act 2006 see, by virtue of section 98(1), section 19 of that Act.back

[12] 1996 c.56. Section 312(2) was amended by paragraph 23 of Schedule 7 to the Education Act 1997 (c.44); paragraph 56 of Schedule 9 to the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c.21); and paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c.40).back

[13] 1995 c.50.back



ISBN 978 0 11 075990 6


 © Crown copyright 2007

Prepared 15 March 2007


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