Inspectors visited the networks in Essex, West Yorkshire, South Gloucestershire and Derbyshire in March. The networks had already received the seal of approval from the National Child-minding Association's 'Children Come First' quality assurance scheme, which was developed with Ofsted but will be inspected independently by the new Early Years Directorate.
Carolyn Terry, co-ordinator of the Essex Childminding Network, the first to be inspected, said the Ofsted report 'endorses the childminders' professional attitude and their commitment to their work'. She added, 'The childminders are proud that they received such a high grading. I was very pleased with the initial paperwork I received from Ofsted, which supports the standards we work to. The interaction between the inspector and the children was good to see - she made every effort to put the childminders at ease.'
From September all childminders, who are inspected individually each year under the provi-sions of the Children Act, will be visited by staff from Ofsted's new Early Years Directorate. The networks are subject to a separate inspection because they receive money from the nursery education grant. An Ofsted spokesman said this week that it would be 'considering how best to carry out these inspections after September'.
The networks in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in Essex and in Derby were told by Ofsted that their standards were sufficiently high that they will not have to be inspected for another two to four years.
Elaine Firbank, early education childminding network co-ordinator in Bradford, paid tribute to the network's childminders. She said, 'This confirms that the children receive quality care and education.' In their report on the Derby network, inspectors found it provides the training and support necessary to develop the confidence of childminders, and their skills and enthusiasm to work with children towards the early learning goals. Councillor Hard-yal Dhindsa, executive member for Lifelong Learning at Derby City Council, said, 'It's really pleasing that even at this trial stage of early years and nursery inspections our network has come out with a good report.
'Choice of childcare is a big decision for a parent and I hope this adds peace of mind for the parents who use our network.'
* From 1 July all new childminders in England have to register with Ofsted's Early Years Directorate on 0845 601 4771.