The review stems from the case of two policewomen who were looking after each other's children - an arrangement, Ofsted said, which contravened the Childcare Act 2006 because it was for more than two hours a day and so constituted a 'reward'.
Children's secretary Ed Balls has already agreed with Ofsted that such arrangements should no longer require registration. The aim of the consultation is to clarify their legal position.
Children's minister Dawn Primarolo said, 'The issue of Ofsted's involvement in reciprocal childcare arrangements generated a great deal of concern for providers and families this year. It was never the Government's intention to intervene in informal childcare arrangements between friends where no money changes hands and to strengthen this commitment, we plan to clarify the law in this area.'
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