Nursery World - Quality schemes win their kitemark

Early years organisations in England were celebrating this week after achieving recognition for their quality assurance schemes under the new Investors in Children (IiC) kitemark. IiC has been set up by the Sure Start Unit at the Department for Education and Skills to raise standards in childcare and inform parents about provision.

IiC has been set up by the Sure Start Unit at the Department for Education and Skills to raise standards in childcare and inform parents about provision.

Margaret Hodge, minister for children, announced the names of the 25 successful schemes at the Daycare Trust's annual conference in London on Tuesday. Organisations to have their schemes endorsed include the National Day Nurseries Association, the National Childminding Association, the Kids'

Clubs Network, and 17 local authorities.

There are more than 60 schemes in the early years sector, and an independent panel of experts assessed applications from more than 40 schemes. The announcement, which was initially expected at the end of June, was delayed because a number of schemes were asked to re-submit evidence to the panel.

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