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Editor's view

For a long time, the protests about the provision in the national care standards to allow childminders to smack the children in their care and smoke in front of them with parental permission seemed to fall on deaf Governmental ears. But since taking over as early years minister, Baroness Ashton has indicated that change could be on the way and, last week, announced a U-turn on this issue as part of the review of the standards now under way (see news, page 4). This is wonderful news, not least for the children at potential risk of harm. It will seem incredible, looking back in a few years' time, that this ludicrous anomaly could ever have been allowed to be enshrined in law and continue for so long, sticking out like a sore thumb among a welter of regulations intended to foster high-quality registered childcare.

This is wonderful news, not least for the children at potential risk of harm. It will seem incredible, looking back in a few years' time, that this ludicrous anomaly could ever have been allowed to be enshrined in law and continue for so long, sticking out like a sore thumb among a welter of regulations intended to foster high-quality registered childcare.

Much credit should go to the National Childminding Association for tirelessly campaigning for a smoking and smacking ban and for upholding the professionalism of its members. And thanks are due to our many readers who contacted us with their views and wrote to protest in the pages of Nursery World - you've all helped to bring about this change for the better.

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