Should Childminders Have The Right To Smack?

Chiildminders  may be given the right to smack children in their care – with parental permission – it has been proposed.

A consultation on National Day Care Standards has been launched by the government, with proposals including clearer guidelines on smacking.

The proposal has been put forward for debate to hear views from parents and childminders, with the aim of allowing smacking if the parent requests it and the childminder agrees.

Physical punishment would still be banned in nurseries, creches and playgroups.

The aim of the overall consultation is to set national standards on education in the early years and parents, childminders, playgroups, childcare organisations, nurseries and local authorities are being invited to have their say.

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of Kids’ Clubs Network, welcomed the proposed standards. She said: “I believe that these standards will form the basis of a fair and proportionate system of regulation for the childcare sector. They will also help to ensure the consistency of early years services across the country.”

Colette Kelleher, Chief Executive of the Daycare Trust, said: “These proposed standards will reassure parents using childcare. For the first time there will be a real consistency of quality boosting both the welfare and the safety of their children.”

Want to have your say? Call 0845 602 2260 and ask for publication DfEE 142/2000. You’ll need to return your comments by October 31.2011.