Early years provision is praised by Ofsted

Speaking in London last week at the publication of Ofsted's report for the year 2002-03, Mr Bell said, 'For the first time in an annual report, I am pleased to be able to make reference to our comprehensive picture of childcare in England, reflecting the inspection and regulatory responsibilities we acquired for the sector in September 2001.'

Among points he highlighted was that 'out of almost 24,000 childcare inspections carried out between April and September 2003, only 120 providers were found to be unsatisfactory, and between two-fifths and half of settings, depending on their type, provided good care'.

Mr Bell added, 'Where we find problems we decide on a case-by-case basis what should be done to bring about improvement, and we are prepared, when necessary, to take immediate enforcement action.'

Ofsted deemed the quality of care given by almost all childcare providers to be satisfactory or better. The number of registered childcare providers increased by 4 per cent between last April and September, bringing the number of childminders to 70,200 and the number of all other providers to 32,600. It received 10,400 applications from potential providers during this time and registered all but 100 of them, noting that the quality of applications was good, with only 65 applications - the majority of them childminders - refused because they could not meet the national standards for under-eights daycare and childminding.

During this time, Ofsted also investigated 3,500 complaints from parents - 2,000 about daycare providers and 1,500 about childminders. About one-third related to their suitability, while one in five concerned how settings were organised. The report said, 'Complaints were rarely about the physical environment, the quality of equipment, food or drink provided for children, how providers deal with children's special needs, or how providers keep records.'

About 210 of the investigations resulted in some form of enforcement activity. Of these, about 190 were against childminders. In one in ten cases the childcare provider's registration was cancelled. Two-thirds of such decisions were taken against childminders and the rest against daycare providers.

Ofsted also investigated about 400 complaints about unregistered childcare providers - four for every 1,000 registered providers. Enforcement action was taken by Ofsted in about 40 cases.

The National Childminding Association welcomed the report's 'positive findings' about childminders. Chief executive Gill Haynes welcomed the 'excellent news' that childminding numbers were on the increase for the first time in many years and that Ofsted had recognised that the quality of new applicants coming forward to be registered as childminders was good.

Ms Haynes said, 'Already four out of ten registered childminders are working over and above the new national standards and are receiving a "good" quality rating.'

But she said that inspection reports were 'only a part of the story' and added that childminders, like other providers, needed ongoing training and development opportunities between Ofsted inspections to enable them to improve their service.

She said, 'Without that investment - particularly in the childminding sector - it's difficult to see how the Government will achieve its goal of high-quality, affordable childcare for every child.'