03 September 2004
Ofsted has vowed to continue applying strict sanctions to unsuitable childminders and nurseries after publishing details of the more than 6,000 complaints it investigated last year.
The education watchdog released its annual report on early years education on August 31, which shows that 49 carers' registrations were cancelled and four individuals were prosecuted for breaching childcare regulations during the year to March.
Three of the four most serious cases involved the use of magistrates' emergency orders.
The report, Protection through regulation, warns: 'These actions were not taken lightly, but if Ofsted has grounds to believe children are at risk, it demands that the provider take action to improve the standard of care or, in very serious cases, stops the childcarer looking after children.'
David Bell, Ofsted chief inspector, urged parents to remain vigilant. 'I would encourage all parents, before deciding whether to send their child to nursery or a childminder, to read the inspection report, visit the provider and ask questions about the care provided.'
The Department for Education and Skills welcomed the report, claiming that 'much progress has been made in the past seven years'.
While it is difficult to compare historical data — Ofsted's first major study of early years care, in 2003, assessed an 18-month period — it is believed that complaints have fallen. The 2003 report found 10,500 complaints compared with 6,250 for 2003/04.
Most complaints elicited a warning from Ofsted, which has reiterated that the vast majority of England's 118,000 carers and nurseries provided suitable or better standards of care.
Investigators, however, were called in to assess 1,100 cases relating to child protection concerns — where youngsters were smacked or manhandled, for example. Many called on the help of the police and council social services departments.
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