Although welcomed by the early years sector, some said the move, set out in a consultation document released last week, could be designed to prevent a future Conservative government altering the scheme.
The proposed law will require local authorities to provide a sufficient number of children's centres and make them a recognised statutory service. At the moment children's centres are just one way in which councils can meet the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006.
Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: "It's probably a wise tactical move for a government that could be changing policy in two years' time. There are also operational concerns - some centres are not financially viable and I think it is positive that we formalise the accountability of children's centres considering these concerns."
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