So it will be with some trepidation that Ofsted releases its annual early years report this week, knowing that it is guaranteed unprecedented media attention, especially with the title 'Protection through Regulation', following the scenes of nursery nurses ill-treating children that were secretly filmed for the programme.
Ofsted's early years director Maurice Smith looks at some of the findings of the report in this week's issue (see News, page 6), and he is obviously keen to reassure parents and practitioners that the majority of day nurseries and childminders are meeting Government standards.
But is it enough just to meet the daycare standards? What more should Ofsted do to ensure a quality childcare service? Spot checks? Make quality assurance a requirement? Hire more inspectors? Should regulations be more stringent? Should ratios of adults to children be improved? Should the level of qualification needed be raised?
We'd love to hear your views, so keep your letters and e-mails coming. The sector must work together to eradicate bad practice.
