Author Description

This 3-year study examined the implementation of the Children Act in Wales, which deals with providing, coordinating, and regulating day care and related services for children under 8 years. Data were collected through interviews with key officers and representatives of child care organizations, a national survey of day care providers, and an analysis of local authority policy documents and government statistics on day care. Results indicated that there has been a substantial increase in independent day care services in the past 10 years, but access remains dependent on parents' ability to pay. Welsh medium preschools are widely available, and many child care providers introduce some Welsh language to children. Positive working relationships exist among service providers, but there has been less progress with joint service planning. Day care regulation has improved with few services closing. Welsh counties vary in resources allocated to day care regulation and inspection staff workloads. Results also suggest that although the Children Act has achieved some worthwhile improvements in day care services, its impact has been limited by continuing fragmentation and low priority of services for young children, and the lack of a national early childhood policy. Based on the results, recommendations were made in the areas of planning and development of services, regulation, support and training for providers, provision for children in need, interagency cooperation, and equal access to services. (Appendices list the national child care organizations consulted and publications related to the Children Act. Contains 17 references.) (KDFB)