Nursery World - Insight: care standards: Up to standard

In an open letter to Nursery World readers, minister Margaret Hodge responds to concerns about the proposed national care standards

Consultation on our draft national standards for the regulation of day care and childminding is in full swing. Thank you to everyone who has responded to our proposals so far. We welcome further comments throughout the consultation period.

We have already received many positive comments. People say the standards are clear, concise and easy to follow and that they will go a long way towards providing a consistent approach and so benefit childcare. However, criticism has centred on three issues: training and qualifications; whether childminders should be able to enter specific agreements with parents over smacking or smoking; and the position of independent schools. In each of these areas concerns have been expressed that in some way the Government is either advocating a lowering of present standards, or not doing enough to safeguard the safety and well-being of children. This is simply not true.

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