Schools standards minister Stephen Timms told the tenth annual conference of the Kids' Clubs Network in London today (Thursday) that the aim of the scheme, Investors in Children, is 'to help parents choose what's right for their children by providing a simple, practical guide to the quality of care and education'.
Investors in Children will set a nationally-recognised standard on top of existing Quality Assurance schemes, Mr Timms said. Providers wanting to take part in the scheme, which will be voluntary, will be assessed on three criteria - their Ofsted inspection results, accreditation from a Quality Assurance scheme, and their staff's qualifications, education and training - leading to a rating of one, two or three stars.
A 12-week consultation with the daycare sector on what form the scheme should take began this week. A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said that the scheme's focus will be on the quality of care and education provided and it will introduce 'industry standards' for the sector, with the Ofsted inspection a cornerstone.
The National Childminding Association (NCMA), which has its own quality standards for its members, welcomed the fact that the consultation said care providers would not be required to have expensive facilities to get good ratings. Gill Haynes, NCMA chief executive, said, 'We support the Government move to drive up quality and its aim to provide a simple and practical guide to parents. We are pleased to see that the star-rating scheme only focuses on the quality of childcare.'
But Eva Lloyd, chief executive of the National Early Years Network, wondered how the scheme would work in practice. She said, 'Does it work like Michelin stars - does a provider lose them as well as gain them? And how often will they be assessed?'
The DfES said, 'The scheme could be run by Ofsted, the DfES or a new body - it's up for consultation, as are the criteria for the star rating.'
Rosemary Murphy, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, expressed surprise that the Government was only now consulting on the scheme even though it was first announced by prime minister Tony Blair a year ago, and that it is to begin several months after the consultation ends. She said, 'It's all tinsel and top show. You don't put the star on top of the tree until everything else is done. The Government is trying to promise high-quality provision when it's not in place.'
But the DfES spokesman said, 'The scheme will raise parental expectations which in turn will improve quality of provision.'
Consultation responses must be sent by 6 June to Richard Masters, Consultation Unit, Area 1B, Castleview House, East Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 2GJ.
* See Special Report, p10
