Children and learners teams in the Government offices for the regions work with local authorities to provide challenge and support as local authorities implement the Government’s 10 year child care strategy and Children’s Plan in their areas. Practical measures taken have included child care discussions as part of the negotiation of local area agreements, and the establishment of child care regional networks, with Government offices working with local authorities on their child care sufficiency assessments and helping them prepare for their new duty to secure sufficient child care for working parents from 1 April 2008.
This Government office work is enabling local authorities to work more effectively with child care providers, shaping and supporting local child care markets which will ensure that sufficient child care is available.