Greater control and scrutiny of children's carers proposed

CHILDMINDERS and day care providers will be regulated, monitored and scrutinised more thoroughly under new proposals put forward by Health and Social Services.

HSSD said the proposals, which are due to go before the States in December, would bring the island in line with best practice and new standards which Jersey and the UK has adopted.

'The department believes these changes are in the best interests of children in childcare settings and would enhance the powers of the Early Years Team of the department to protect children and scrutinise and monitor providers to give parents as much confidence as is possible in the safety of the system.

'The new ordinance will enable the department to update and modernise the standards and controls used to help ensure safe delivery of childcare in Guernsey.'

The age range for which childminders and day care providers have to be registered is currently from birth to aged five. It is proposed that registration should be expanded to the age of eight.