Mind the facts

Hazel Robinson writes that she 'found it impossible to get registered as a childminder in the changeover months from local social services to the Ofsted Early Years Directorate'. Had she applied before July, the local authority would have handled her application through the changeover period and would only hand it over to Ofsted if the process was not complete on 1 September. From July onwards, she would have had to apply directly to Ofsted. General information about the arrangements was given in an Ofsted leaflet published in May. More detailed information was given in a leaflet, Childminding: Is it for you?, published in June. To date, 206,000 copies of the first leaflet and 75,000 copies of the second have been distributed through the National Childminding Association, local authorities and Children's Information Services. The pre-registration meeting Ms Robinson attended would have given her information about how she could ensure children are safe and well cared for and take part in activities that contribute to their development and learning. She may also have had information about grants to help with start-up costs.