Ofsted issues new childcare ratings

Tuesday, 12 July 2005 12:00 AM

Education watchdog Ofsted has graded 16 childcare providers "outstanding" in a new report.

More than 1,000 reports detailing the quality of childcare across the UK have been published today, the first since a radical shake-up of Ofsted's inspection system in April 2005 which introduced the new grades of outstanding, good satisfactory or inadequate for childminders.

Ofsted director of early years Maurice Smith said the number of providers achieving the top rating was "a fantastic achievement", but there is likely to be concern about the 32 childminders and 13 day care providers rated as inadequate.

The inspectorate also announced that parents can now find reports on registered childminders in their area from Ofsted's website.

As well as enabling parents to find the best childcare available, the watchdog believes such a move should encourage childminder providers to raise their standards so as to attract more children.

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