But care organisations said that more still needs to be done to protect the safety of vulnerable children and maintain quality in settings.
Children's minister Beverly Hughes told delegates to the Daycare Trust's conference in London, 'Ensuring children, particularly young children, are safe when receiving childcare is a key concern for us all. I can announce today that registration will be compulsory for childcare providers up to age eight, while remaining voluntary for those providing care for children up to 14.'
Ministers gave in to fierce opposition to a proposal in the Childcare Bill, due to be published this week (Tuesday), that would allow providers caring for children aged over five to voluntarily join the new Ofsted Childcare Register to meet minimum standards. But they stopped short of introducing regulation for providers for over-eights, which childcare organisations say is still an 'outstanding issue'.
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