Nursery World - Check nannies too

I felt extremely offended after reading Lindsay Byrne's letter (9 May), for she said she knew 'many other qualified nannies who would feel equally offended if someone was to refer to them as a childminder'. I have worked as a registered childminder for 12 years and I am also now a fully-qualified nursery nurse. Continuing with professional development, I currently tutor pre-registration courses which are compulsory and nationally recognised and promote good-quality childcare and business practice.

I have worked as a registered childminder for 12 years and I am also now a fully-qualified nursery nurse. Continuing with professional development, I currently tutor pre-registration courses which are compulsory and nationally recognised and promote good-quality childcare and business practice.

Registered childminders in England have police checks and are inspected annually by Ofsted, and we must also provide evidence of our working practice. I feel strongly that there should be a national register of nannies, who would also be required to complete the necessary checks and annual inspections that my profession must comply with.

Nationally there are many registered childminders with childcare qualifications. We are all striving to raise our status, but it is unhelpful when other childcarers make such derogatory comments.

Catherine Mather

Doncaster