Nursery World - Creche laws that fail us all

By Steve Brigden, co-owner of Nipperbout, a mobile creche based in Singleborough, Buckinghamshire. As a childcare provider I am willing to undertake full responsibility for any child in any location I see fit for a limited amount of time. I provide as many integral services as I can, along with an inexhaustible range of activities and equipment for two hours or 40 days. After 13 years, tens of thousands of children, countless hours of care and 16 Ofsted registrations this year alone, I know we provide the best provision around. Nevertheless, the law is an ass and it does nothing for me.

As a childcare provider I am willing to undertake full responsibility for any child in any location I see fit for a limited amount of time. I provide as many integral services as I can, along with an inexhaustible range of activities and equipment for two hours or 40 days. After 13 years, tens of thousands of children, countless hours of care and 16 Ofsted registrations this year alone, I know we provide the best provision around. Nevertheless, the law is an ass and it does nothing for me.

Current legislation concerns itself with my activities when I have operated in one place for more than five days. I think my responsibilities are pertinent from day one. I could run a creche at the top of London's BT Tower or even in a cavern beneath Cheddar Gorge. However, any breach of the regulations in lofty London would not disqualify me from similar operations in subterranean Somerset.

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