Childcare sufficiency - information for Local Authorities

The Childcare Act 2006 requires Local Authorities in Wales to:

• Undertake childcare sufficiency assessments;
• Ensure sufficient childcare; and
• Provide information, advice and assistance to parents, prospective parents and those with parental responsibility or care of a child, relating to childcare

In April 2008 we issued formal guidance to Local Authorities, setting out their legislative requirements under the Act.

Each Local Authority in Wales has undertaken their own local childcare sufficiency assessments, which are a requirement of the Act.

Following scrutiny of these initial assessments, and subsequent discussions with Local Authorities, it became apparent that more detailed guidance was needed.

Cordis Bright were commissioned to produce a toolkit for the production of childcare sufficiency assessments. This was published in March 2010.