Steve Alexander, chief executive, Pre-school Learning Alliance
Such incidents, while naturally upsetting to see, are, thankfully, rare. In our considerable experience of supporting childcare providers, the Alliance knows that the majority of childcare workers are totally dedicated to their work and to the safety and well-being of the children they care for. Supporting, developing and investing in the childcare workforce is crucially important. The government's forthcoming Workforce Action Plan presents a real opportunity for workforce development to be addressed.
Liz Bayram, chief executive, National Childminding Association
Like the rest of the childcare sector, NCMA is concerned by the evidence presented in the programme. The programme did contain some factual inaccuracies regarding registered childminding which were disappointing, such as the statement that childminders are 'council approved' childcarers, rather than being inspected and regulated by Ofsted across England. In addition, the implication that registered childminders do not complete training is not substantiated by our experience.
Maxine Hill, policy and research manager, Daycare Trust
Daycare Trust believes that every single person employed to take care of children should be a qualified professional, and the failures exposed in the programme underline the importance of this. Currently, the national standards stipulate that 50 per cent of childcare workers should be qualified. Daycare Trust is calling for this to be immediately increased to a target of 100 per cent qualified staff, because parents and children deserve nothing less.
Eva Lloyd, visiting fellow, Thomas Coram Research Unit
By its heavy reliance on the operation of the childcare market, a strategy reinforced by the 2006 Childcare Act, the Government remains committed to promoting expansion at the expense of quality. The programme vividly demonstrates that under such conditions, Ofsted, whose remit allows only for infrequent inspections and insufficiently rigorous registration procedures, is bound to fall short of fully securing young children's well-being and safety in early years settings. As long as any provider can get away with paying childcare staff half the minimum wage ten years after this was introduced by New Labour, we ought to be gravely concerned about how much this Government values children as citizens and as early years service users.
Anne Nelson, chief executive, Early Education
It is shocking to see babies and young children in such an unhappy state and to hear that the settings had not paid due attention to existing requirements concerning ratios and CRB checks. Programmes such as this make us more determined to press for an increase in the percentage of qualified staff in all settings. This would result in quality provision for children and staff with a truly professional attitude. It would also raise the status of staff and the level of pay.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive, National Day Nurseries Association
While the programme did show some unacceptable childcare practice, NDNA believes that it is vital that we do not let a minority overshadow the excellent work that is happening in day nurseries. It is possible that this programme may cause some concern among parents, so it is important that nurseries highlight how they ensure children are safeguarded via stringent checking of staff and going above and beyond the national standards. In addition, NDNA does not believe that Ofsted reports 'are not worth the paper that they are printed on'. Providers report that Ofsted reports are rigorous.
Sarah Hill, manager, Nelly's Nursery, Dulwich
I thought the programme was interesting but rather sensationalist in parts. Such low pay, lack of training and consistently inadequate ratios are bound to lead to staff demotivation, which ultimately will impact on the children. The programme highlighted the very real problem of recruitment and referencing - there is a very long lead time to await references and CRB checks. Ofsted will need to respond to the claims made. I have found inspectors are very inconsistent in their approach.
I have been approached today by a few parents and staff about the programme. Fortunately, it has been to say how happy they are that their children attend or that they work at Nelly's. But the programme has once more done very little for the reputation of full day care. In a society where parents often have no choice but return to work, this type of negative publicity is likely to increase their levels of guilt.
Margaret Edgington, independent early years consultant
I admire the inspector who was brave enough to say what many of us have known or suspected for some time - Ofsted inspection is flawed. Any local authority advisor will confirm that settings they consider inadequate and in need of support are often given good or even outstanding ratings by inspectors. Advisors say they feel undermined by these unrealistic judgements. Rapid expansion of provision, combined with a serious shortage of well-trained and experienced practitioners and a business approach to childcare, will inevitably result in the practice seen in the film.
Helen Penn, professor of early childhood studies, University of East London
Any system in which vulnerable people are cared for is open to abuse. If it is run on a for-profit basis, the abuse is more likely, because unscrupulous operators can and do cut corners to make a bigger profit. That is why Ofsted exists - to police a potentially exploitative market. Ofsted isn't needed in countries where there is universal care and education, where standards are high, services are well funded, and staff are paid properly. It's good to know that Ofsted think they are doing their job well, but the larger question is why they need to do all these inspections. Bad care is the penalty some parents and children will have to pay for the Government's uncritical adoption of the private market.
June O'Sullivan, CEO, Westminster Children's Society
It is a salutary lesson to everybody that when you fail to put children at the heart of your service, such situations can arise. If anything good is to be drawn from this documentary, it must be the chance for us all to consider the small ways we might improve what we already do. It is in the interests of parents and their children that we now reassure everyone we meet; to say with confidence that the communities we serve and society as a whole would be far worse off without the quality services and support we offer.
Tricia Pritchard, senior professional officer (childcare), Voice
We would like assurances from Ofsted and the Government that the criticisms raised after this programme will be taken seriously and look for them to do all they can to reassure parents that Ofsted does work to high standards. Voice renews its call for the compulsory registration of all those working with children and young people so that no one - journalist or otherwise - can obtain a job in childcare without the necessary registration documents.
Christina McAnea, head of education and children's services, Unison
Improving standards of care for young children is a key Government commitment. This programme highlights the huge variation in standards and quality between different kinds of nurseries. Staff in local authority nurseries are usually better trained and qualified and provide excellent care and education for young children and babies. We need the standards set by high-quality public provision to be the benchmark for the childcare sector as a whole. Good quality childcare doesn't and shouldn't come cheap.
Sarah Steel, MD, the Old Station Nursery group
I must say I dislike this form of sensationalist, tabloid journalism. How an individual who has worked in three settings can comment with authority that 'poor quality childcare exists in many nurseries' strikes me as rather subjective. However, what I saw in the programme fills me with horror. I am disappointed that an Ofsted inspector should feel unable to voice her concerns within her own organisation. My experience of inspectors has been of thorough professionalism. Ofsted is not a police force, but provides guidance for parents; at the end of the day, every parent must make their own choice of who looks after their children and I would encourage them to ask detailed questions and ask managers to show them how staff are checked, inducted, trained and supervised.
