Commentary on Sections and Schedules Part 1:  General Functions of Local Authority: England Section 3:  Specific duties of local authority in relation to early childhood services
28.Section 3 requires local authorities to deliver the improved outcomes set out in section 1 by ensuring that early childhood services (as defined in section 2) are delivered in an integrated way that facilitates access to services and maximises the benefits to children, parents and prospective parents.
29.The local authority is also required to take steps to identify parents who are unlikely to take advantage of early childhood services that may benefit them, and to encourage them to take advantage of those services. In many cases, this will be inextricably tied to the duty to narrow the gaps between those achieving the poorest outcomes and their peers, and thereby reduce inequality.
30.Section 3 also requires local authorities to encourage the involvement of parents and prospective parents, providers of early years provision in the private and voluntary sectors and any others who contribute to the well-being of young children, when developing integrated services and deciding how they should be delivered. Local authorities must, in addition, have regard to available information about the views of young children where this information appears relevant to the development or delivery of integrated services.
31.In carrying out their duties under section 3, local authorities must have regard to statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State.