Take care, creches in England are no longer required to register with OFSTED

[AntoniaMae]

Hi! This is the first time I have placed a message on Mumsnet but I wanted to share with other Mums what I have found out about creches. Since September 2008, a creche is no longer required to register with Ofsted. The Government has 'dropped' them off the register and currently there are NO regulations in place to safeguard the welfare of children in these exempt child care settings. Not many people know about it but I am meeting with my MP to try and put pressure on the DSCF to change the situation. A creche that is not registered with Ofsted at the moment will NOT be inspected for the very basics in child care provision. Nobody is responsible for checking the standard of care, qualifications or suitability of the employees or the premesis. Up until September 2008, a creche had to comply with 14 strict national standards but they have now gone - leaving nothing in their place.

Please let me know if you have heard anything about this - or what your opinion is.
Thanks!