CYP Now - Analysis: Childcare Bill - Where next for the early years?

As the Childcare Bill becomes an Act, it promises a revolution in local early years services. But many are worried that the sums won't add up and that the funding promised won't be enough to deliver the necessary changes. Jo Stephenson reports.

Money. Cash. Funding. Resources. Dosh. These are the five outcomes thechildcare sector craves as the Childcare Bill becomes an Act. It is aground-breaking piece of legislation, as children's minister BeverleyHughes explains. "It's a historic Bill," she told Children Now. "It'sredrawing the boundaries of the welfare state, putting very youngchildren and childcare at the heart of what families can expect in theirarea."

And it's a radical piece of legislation, she adds, citing in particularthe new duty on local authorities to improve children's wellbeing andreduce inequalities between the most disadvantaged and the rest.

It also means local authorities and partners such as health services andjob centres must work together. The detail has been hotly debated butmost people working with children and families back the overallvision.

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