Day Care Regulation and Support

This publication examines the responses of 11 local authorities in Yorkshire and Humberside to the regulatory framework for day care contained in the Children Act 1989. It investigates how local authorities manage the balance between enforcement of standards and the provision of training and support for day care providers. The empirical study concentrates on the views of managers in the context of the social, legal and organizational framework, identifying implications for the devlopment of day care services and making clear recommendations. The report also seeks to contribute to the debate on the "market economy" as it affects children's day care services. It asks what acceptable purchasing strategies and partnerships with the voluntary and private sectors can be developed in order to increase the accessibility of quality provision. The findings and conclusions of the report are intended to be of interest to local authority managers, day care providers and parent/user groups, as well as those concerned with monitoring the impact of legislation on the provision of children's services.
 
This publication examines the responses of 11 local authorities in Yorkshire and Humberside to the regulatory framework for day care contained in the Children Act 1989. It investigates how local authorities manage the balance between enforcement of standards and the provision of training and support for day care providers. The empirical study concentrates on the views of managers in the context of the social, legal and organizational framework, identifying implications for the devlopment of day care services and making clear recommendations. The report also seeks to contribute to the debate on the "market economy" as it affects children's day care services. It asks what acceptable purchasing strategies and partnerships with the voluntary and private sectors can be developed in order to increase the accessibility of quality provision. The findings and conclusions of the report are intended to be of interest to local authority managers, day care providers and parent/user groups, as well as those concerned with monitoring the impact of legislation on the provision of children's services.