I was appalled when I read the news about the Government allowing childminders to smack children and to smoke in front of children. I think that if the parents want their children smacked they should take care of them themselves and not put it on the childcare workers. There is enough violence and abuse in the world without starting it in daycare. Besides, there are many different forms of punishment that can be used rather than smacking, such as 'time out'. Pauline Barry, via e-mail
I was appalled when I read the news about the Government allowing childminders to smack children and to smoke in front of children. I think that if the parents want their children smacked they should take care of them themselves and not put it on the childcare workers. There is enough violence and abuse in the world without starting it in daycare. Besides, there are many different forms of punishment that can be used rather than smacking, such as 'time out'.
Pauline Barry, via e-mail
