Mike Tomlinson, who retires from his post in May to become head of education for the London borough of Hackney, said last week that he had no plans 'at the moment' to recommend to his successor at Ofsted that the Government should register nannies as it does other childcarers.
Mr Tomlinson said such a role for Ofsted would theoretically be possible perhaps two years down the line, but that it was a matter for the Government to decide whether the education watchdog would be the appropriate agency to oversee such a register in much the same way as it now registers and inspects childminders. He said, 'We will need to wait and see if the Government sees some form of regulation of nannies is necessary. If so, it may recommend the Care Commission to oversee them, not Ofsted.'
Last month, following the sentencing of registered childminder Linda Bayfield to jail for the manslaughter of an eight-month-old baby in her care, Mr Tomlinson pledged to 'do everything within the powers given me by Parliament to make sure that all persons caring for children will be suitable to do so'.
Mr Tomlinson's comments were welcomed by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) which recently called for the setting up of a UK-wide register of all nannies. David Coulter, NSPCC education and employment policy adviser, said, 'Recently-introduced Ofsted regulation and inspection of childminders should bring about greater protection for children. However, parents must be confident that a registered childminder is competent and suitable to look after children, that any complaints against them will be thoroughly investigated and that unsafe childminders will be deregistered by Ofsted. If the childminder remains on the register, details of serious complaints leading to remedial action should be made available to parents in Ofsted inspection reports.
'Childminders and nannies should never hit or shake a child, even with parental permission. The Government must bring forward legislation to make it illegal for childminders or nannies to use physical force against babies and younger children.'
