Editor's view

There is bound to be consternation among day nurseries in England as it becomes apparent that Ofsted is now taking a different line on staff working with children before background checks are completed (see News, page 4). Previously, there was an understanding that staff could work under supervision until clearance letters arrived. But now Ofsted is indicating that it will stick to the letter of the law in not allowing nurseries to have staff working before all checks are complete. There has been no official directive, but nurseries around the country are beginning to speak up about a change of...