Nursery World - Smoke and smack ban delights sector (1)

Children's charities and childcare associations have warmly welcomed the U-turn by the Department for Education and Skills on allowing childminders in England to smack the children in their care and smoke in front of them. Sure Start minister Catherine Ashton announced last week that as part of a review of the national standards for under-eights daycare and childminding, childminders will no longer be allowed to smack or smoke in front of children, even if they have written consent from parents. This brings the standards for childminding in line with those for other care settings in England. Childminders already work under such a ban in Wales and Scotland.

Sure Start minister Catherine Ashton announced last week that as part of a review of the national standards for under-eights daycare and childminding, childminders will no longer be allowed to smack or smoke in front of children, even if they have written consent from parents. This brings the standards for childminding in line with those for other care settings in England. Childminders already work under such a ban in Wales and Scotland.

Baroness Ashton said, 'It is important that we acknowledge the professionalism of childminders who do such a valuable job in supporting our children by giving them standards equal to those of other childcare professionals.'

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