Childcare Bill puts onus on councils

Local authorities will be legally required to make sure there are enough childcare places for working parents in their area, in particular those on low incomes or with disabled children, in plans published by the DfES last week. The consultation on the Childcare Bill proposes new legislation, which for the first time gives parents a legal right to accessible, high-quality childcare and early years provision. It is expected to become law by 2008.