Commentary on Sections and Schedules Part 1:  General Functions of Local Authority: England Sections 18 to 21:  Meaning of childcare and other terms
63.Section 18 defines childcare as any form of care for a child including education and any supervised activity but excluding education (or any other supervised activity) provided in school hours for a registered pupil at a school who is not a young child. The definition also excludes health care, care provided by certain individuals (for example, a parent or a relative of a child), care provided in a hospital, care home or family centre and care provided for children detained in young offender institutions or secure training centres.
64.Sections 19 and 20 define young child and early years provision. Early years provision is the provision of childcare for a young child and a child is regarded as a young child until the 1st September following the date on which he attains the age of 5.