NCMA rebukes BBC

On Tuesday 16 March the BBC published news of an announcement made by the Government that they would be setting up a review panel to look in to the provision of food in early years settings. The BBC covered this story extensively across its media including the BBC website and radio news programmes.

As Chair of the National Childminding Association, a national organisation that represents over 60,000 childminders in England and Wales, and a childminder myself I was disappointed to see that the report was reported so inaccurately with a comment that food served by childminders and nurseries was too high in fat, sugar and salt and while lacking essential nutrients. The reports also implied that nurseries and childminders were therefore responsible for the rise in obese children entering primary school education.

I have now read the School Food report. I cannot see any suggestion that this is the case. What the report does refer to, is a lack of guidance on nutrition for under fives, this does not equate to childcare providers subsequently being responsible for one in four children being obese by the time they start primary school. Indeed a report in 2006 by Ofsted in to provision of food for under fives concluded that the majority of childcare settings were outstanding or good at providing balanced meals that were low in salt, sugar and fat, and childminders faired better than any other childcare provider.  

NCMA is a panel member of the new School Food Trust forum and will look closely at the best way to provide registered childminders with accurate information on nutrition for under fives. Along with other childminders I strive to provide the very best food I can as part of a package of high quality childcare and education.

What is most disappointing is that a respected broadcasting corporation such as the BBC should interpret a report so wrongly. I must ask that you issue a correction and an apology in all the BBC media where this story appeared.