Compulsory childcare register unveiled
Childcare providers for children under the age of eight will have to sign up to a watchdog register under new government plans, children’s minister Beverly Hughes announced today.
Registration is currently done on a voluntary basis, but while this will remain the case for providers caring for children between the ages of eight and 14, those looking after anyone younger will have to join an Ofsted childcare register.
It is part of a raft of measures included in the government’s proposed childcare bill, which has just ended its public consultation stage.
The first draft proposed the deregulation of childcare for six- and seven-year-olds – this was only dropped after strong opposition from childcare groups concerned it would have an adverse affect on childcare quality and safety.
Other proposals in the bill include making local authorities secure sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents and greater access for all parents to nursery services.
These all link into chancellor Gordon Brown’s “every child matters” manifesto pledge, which has made improving childcare services a policy priority for Labour’s third term.
Announcing the proposals today, Ms Hughes called the draft bill “a cornerstone in delivering our vision for early years and childcare”.
“It has been essential that we develop these proposals by building on existing good practice and an understanding of what works best for children,” she said.
“Ensuring children, particularly young children, are safe when receiving childcare is a key concern for us all.
“This fits with our overall aim for the bill that it should drive up quality, ensure children are safe and simplify the existing bureaucratic regime.”
Children’s charity the Childcare Trust welcomed what it called the government’s “climbdown on deregulation”.
Chairwoman Lisa Harker said: “This is a very welcome announcement. It will reassure parents and continue to give them confidence that childcare is safe and meets certain standards.
“Services for children need to be the highest quality.”
But she added that the legislation would only work if government made sure “that inspection and regulation is effective and transparent, and by pressing ahead with much-needed investment in the childcare workforce.”
