Letter to the Sun
In response to the
Sun Newspaper's article on Saturday 27 March 2010 NCMA has
sent a letter to the Editor to complain about the incorrect use of
the word "childminder" when referring to illegally paid
unregistered carers.
The letter, from Susanna Dawson, can be viewed below. Many
NCMA members were incensed at this inappropriate reference and have
also written to the newspaper.
Dear Editor,
You carried an article on 27 March
(Ryan 3, murdered by childminders) about the death of a little boy
at the hands of his carers. The case is truly shocking and has
provoked considerable media coverage asking pertinent questions
about the care of young children.
However, many registered
childminders like me are incensed by your use of the word
‘childminder’ to describe the individuals involved.
Registered childminders are not
babysitters casually employed by parents. They are regulated and
inspected by Ofsted against the same stringent criteria as other
childcare providers. They undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check
at registration and must undertake introductory training, including
paediatric first-aid. Above all, though, they provide important
learning and development opportunities for the young children and
follow the same Early Years Foundation Stage framework as
nurseries.
These were not childminders. They
were unqualified and unregistered friends of the parents who
subsequently subjected the child to considerable cruelty.
This is not a question of
semantics, but an important distinction the National Childminding
Association (NCMA) has been highlighting for over 30 years. Every
day over 60,000 registered childminders across England and Wales
provide unique care and education for young children. For them and
for the 180,000 families who use their services, please pause for
thought before using the term childminder in such a casual and
irresponsible way.
Yours sincerely, Susanna Dawson, Chair,
NCMA.
This page was last updated
on: 5/13/2010