The proposals would give children legal protection against the use of 'unreasonable and excessive' punishment. All physical punishment, including by parents, of children under three would be banned. For all children there would be a total ban on blows to the head, shaking and the use of implements.
Corporal punishment would also be outlawed in childcare centres and in non-publicly funded pre-school centres. However, parents would still be allowed to set the ground rules for disciplining children over three years old in their homes, which includes care by babysitters and nannies.
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) said it was delighted with the proposals. Anne McNellan, SCMA director, said, 'This is the best news. SCMA has been campaigning to have these issues clarified for a long time.
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