New standards to rule out smacking

Childminders must not smack children in their care or smoke in
front of them under amended government standards to take effect
from September.

The change to the standards aims to bring childminders in line with
other child care providers and schools and to create a safer
environment for children.

The government also hopes that by giving childminders standards
which match other child care professionals it will raise the status
of the profession and increase recruitment into the sector.

From September, child care facilities in schools will also be
monitored and inspected by Ofsted on the same basis as other child
care providers, with schools currently following a different set of
standards due to a legal loophole.

Further changes that will effect private nurseries and other day
care providers are to be consulted on later in the summer.

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