Editor's view

For a long time, the protests about the provision in the national care standards to allow childminders to smack the children in their care and smoke in front of them with parental permission seemed to fall on deaf Governmental ears. But since taking over as early years minister, Baroness Ashton has indicated that change could be on the way and, last week, announced a U-turn on this issue as part of the review of the standards now under way (see news, page 4). This is wonderful news, not least for the children at potential risk of harm. It will seem...