Nursery World - Star rating scheme is shelved by DfES

P lans for a star-rating scheme for daycare providers, to start from next year in England, have been dropped by the Government. The Investors in Children (IiC) scheme will not now have a one-star to three-star rating for the quality of care provided, as envisaged last year by prime minister Tony Blair. Instead the scheme will monitor all of the early years sector's Quality Assurance schemes to ensure they meet minimum criteria and enforce high standards of provision.

The Investors in Children (IiC) scheme will not now have a one-star to three-star rating for the quality of care provided, as envisaged last year by prime minister Tony Blair. Instead the scheme will monitor all of the early years sector's Quality Assurance schemes to ensure they meet minimum criteria and enforce high standards of provision.

Speaking at a conference in London organised by the National Childminding Association (NCMA), Catherine Ashton, early years minister, told delegates that following consultation on the scheme the Government had decided to form a new body to evaluate the existing Quality Assurance schemes - of which there are at least 50 - and that they would be invited to apply for IiC status. 'We will convene a group of people to evaluate the schemes and OK them or send them back. Approved schemes will show our ongoing commitment to quality,' she said.

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