Bounty

Official figures have revealed that nearly a third of nurseries and childminders are falling below standards.

Childcare providers were assessed to find out how well they meet the needs of the youngsters they are looking after.

The Ofsted statistics showed that between September 2008 and June this year 2% of nurseries and childminders were labelled inadequate, while only 30% were rated "satisfactory".

More than half (58%) were rated "good" for "meeting the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage", while one in 10 (10%) were judged to be "outstanding". The figures also reveal that almost three in 10 (29%) of the places inspected were rated no better than "satisfactory" for safeguarding - the extent to which children feel, and are kept, safe.

Separate statistics published by Ofsted show a fall in the number of childminders working in England - as well as a drop in available childcare places.

At the end of June there were 57,204 childminders registered in England, down from 57,732 at the end of March. This means around 500 childminders have left the profession in the last three months. The statistics also show that there are now 1,303,547 childcare places available, down from 1,309,856 at the end of March, meaning there are now 6,300 fewer places.

Copyright Press Association 2010