Nursery World - It's not our policy

Did you publish Maggie Dyer's letter (15 March) just to provoke a response? Snide asides relating to the Government's policy allowing registered childminders to smack children and smoke in their presence with parental permission should be directed at the policymakers - not against those who have, in the main, campaigned vigorously against such an appalling situation. The anomaly lies with the way that this policy reflects a patronising and contemptuous view of childminders while deeming them to be suitable role models for teenage mothers (News, 1 March).

Snide asides relating to the Government's policy allowing registered childminders to smack children and smoke in their presence with parental permission should be directed at the policymakers - not against those who have, in the main, campaigned vigorously against such an appalling situation. The anomaly lies with the way that this policy reflects a patronising and contemptuous view of childminders while deeming them to be suitable role models for teenage mothers (News, 1 March).

Perhaps the Government is regarding both groups with equal disdain?

Victoria Openshaw, chair, Worcestershire Childminding Association, Worcester

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