Those who read my first article (Nursery World, 1 June) may remember it was concerned with the bad press our sector so frequently but unfairly gets from many newspapers which should know better. Working parents have enough guilt placed upon them without having to live with irresponsible journalism.
Back then I drew attention to one paper's constant misquoting or misrepresentation of statistics and reports in order to suggest that nurseries are constantly failing the children they are charged to protect - the Daily Mail.
Well, surprise, surprise, they are at it again! See if you recognise your nursery, or the sector we work in, from any of the following quotes: 'The watchdog's latest report on the state of childcare showed that almost half (of the providers) were failing to do enough to keep children safe from harm.' Or, 'some families spend up to 21,000 a year on childcare'. Or 'parents paying through the nose for sub-standard childcare'
- and so and so on.
Laura Clark, the journalist in question, is obviously wedded to her paper's party line; namely, the place of every woman with young children is at home, regardless of circumstances or experience.
No, Ms Clark, the report you quoted from neither states nor suggests that 50 per cent of children in daycare are at mortal risk, or at any risk at all. The only way this view could be legitimately held is if one interprets the 'satisfactory' rating of an Ofsted inspection as being in some way more of a 'fail' than a 'pass' - which it manifestly is not.
The facts are that 'satisfactory' indicates that the setting has achieved the full requirements under the 14 National Standards by Ofsted during an inspection. To achieve it you have fully met all the guidelines set by the Government and inspected by Ofsted.
The additional grades of 'good' and 'outstanding' are not given because such settings offer 'extra safety' to the children in their care, but rather for additional facilities, staff experience, and relationships with parents.
I could forgive a parent for not understanding this grading system, but not the education reporter of the Daily Mail - especially given the slant for which such a mistake has been used.
Perhaps readers might like to drop Ms Clark an e-mail commenting on this matter, at laura.clark@dailymail.co.uk.
Alan Bentley is chairman of the Childcare Corporation
