Nursery World - Childminders may quit over net row

Childminders across England have threatened to quit if Ofsted goes ahead with its plan to put their home address on the internet as part of their inspection reports. The row between the 70,000 registered childminders and Ofsted erupted last week after the education inspectorate said it was going to put the childminders' details on its website from this June. The National Childminding Association (NCMA) said the move would be 'disastrous' for childminders. Parents and childminders have expressed alarm at the plan, particularly on the grounds of child protection and the safety of childminders.

The row between the 70,000 registered childminders and Ofsted erupted last week after the education inspectorate said it was going to put the childminders' details on its website from this June. The National Childminding Association (NCMA) said the move would be 'disastrous' for childminders. Parents and childminders have expressed alarm at the plan, particularly on the grounds of child protection and the safety of childminders.

Ofsted chief inspector David Bell said he intended to publish all Children Act and combined inspection reports from this April onwards on its website, and that these would include childminders alongside other care providers.

In a statement, Ofsted added, 'Publishing reports on the website will enable Ofsted to provide parents with access to regular information about the quality and standards of the providers they use to care for their children.'

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