A smaller proportion of childminders in England are offering childcare rated "good", say inspectors Ofsted.
A smaller proportion of childminders in England are offering childcare rated "good", say inspectors Ofsted.
The share of childminders rated good or outstanding fell from 62% to 54% over the past three years, while those rated inadequate rose from 3% to 6%.
The share of childminders rated good or outstanding fell from 62% to 54% over the past three years, while those rated inadequate rose from 3% to 6%.
But the share of those rated outstanding rose from 3% to 5%.
But the share of those rated outstanding rose from 3% to 5%.
Overall, childcare settings including nurseries and childminders had improved, said Ofsted. But it also found lower standards in poorer areas.
Overall, childcare settings including nurseries and childminders had improved, said Ofsted. But it also found lower standards in poorer areas.
The Ofsted report comes shortly it emerged that more and more childminders were quitting because of the burden of increasing regulation.
The Ofsted report comes shortly it emerged that more and more childminders were quitting because of the burden of increasing regulation.
Ofsted said some may not have grasped the demands of its inspection regime.
Ofsted said some may not have grasped the demands of its inspection regime.
Deprivation factor
Deprivation factor
The key issues identified by Ofsted included being unable to identify or respond to child protection concerns and a lack of training in, and understanding of, first aid.
The key issues identified by Ofsted included being unable to identify or respond to child protection concerns and a lack of training in, and understanding of, first aid.
Ofsted's director for children, Michael Hart, said: "We are always concerned about any provision that comes out as inadequate - that extra 3% does concern us.
Ofsted's director for children, Michael Hart, said: "We are always concerned about any provision that comes out as inadequate - that extra 3% does concern us.
In the 30 most deprived areas, 53% of childminders provide good or better childcare compared with 60% in the rest of the country Ofsted
In the 30 most deprived areas, 53% of childminders provide good or better childcare compared with 60% in the rest of the country Ofsted
"But the encouraging thing is that when we do go back and reinspect, 95% of those provisions inspected for the second time will come out as satisfactory or better."
"But the encouraging thing is that when we do go back and reinspect, 95% of those provisions inspected for the second time will come out as satisfactory or better."
Mr Hart said the small percentage of inadequate childminders needed to be viewed against a background of much higher rates of inadequacy in previous years.
Mr Hart said the small percentage of inadequate childminders needed to be viewed against a background of much higher rates of inadequacy in previous years.
He also highlighted concerns about the disparity in the quality of childcare in deprived areas and affluent areas.
He also highlighted concerns about the disparity in the quality of childcare in deprived areas and affluent areas.
The report said overall, quality was generally poorer where there was most poverty and social deprivation.
The report said overall, quality was generally poorer where there was most poverty and social deprivation.
"In the 30 most deprived areas, 53% of childminders provide good or better childcare compared with 60% in the rest of the country," it said.
"In the 30 most deprived areas, 53% of childminders provide good or better childcare compared with 60% in the rest of the country," it said.
It found that in Hackney, east London, 29% of childminders were judged to be good or better, compared to Wokingham in Berkshire where the proportion was 81%.
It found that in Hackney, east London, 29% of childminders were judged to be good or better, compared to Wokingham in Berkshire where the proportion was 81%.
Mr Hart said: "For the first time in the report we have looked in some detail at different local authorities.
Mr Hart said: "For the first time in the report we have looked in some detail at different local authorities.
"We are concerned that there's a variation and it doesn't seem fair that children in deprived areas seem to get a worse deal than those in more affluent areas."
"We are concerned that there's a variation and it doesn't seem fair that children in deprived areas seem to get a worse deal than those in more affluent areas."
The report, Early Years Leading to Excellence, was based on evidence from 90,000 inspections of 84,000 early years and childcare settings, over three years.
The report, Early Years Leading to Excellence, was based on evidence from 90,000 inspections of 84,000 early years and childcare settings, over three years.
In childcare settings overall, it found notable signs of improvement between 2005-6 and 2007-8.
In childcare settings overall, it found notable signs of improvement between 2005-6 and 2007-8.
'Ridiculous' paperwork
'Ridiculous' paperwork
Last week, it emerged there had been an 11.5% drop, or a fall of 8,400 registered childminders, between June this year and a peak in June 2004.
Last week, it emerged there had been an 11.5% drop, or a fall of 8,400 registered childminders, between June this year and a peak in June 2004.
More than 100 childminders and parents contacted the BBC News website about the issue.
More than 100 childminders and parents contacted the BBC News website about the issue.
Many childminders said they were considering quitting because of the extra pressures of Ofsted inspections and statutory guidelines, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), that come into force in September.
Many childminders said they were considering quitting because of the extra pressures of Ofsted inspections and statutory guidelines, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), that come into force in September.
One, Alyson Garland, from Calne in Wiltshire, said: "I am a childminder who has been doing the job for three years, and I am thinking of giving up, the paperwork side of it is ridiculous.
One, Alyson Garland, from Calne in Wiltshire, said: "I am a childminder who has been doing the job for three years, and I am thinking of giving up, the paperwork side of it is ridiculous.
"We now have to do risk assessments, observations, planning and we have to now be registered as a food premises because we give snacks or a meal."
"We now have to do risk assessments, observations, planning and we have to now be registered as a food premises because we give snacks or a meal."
Another, Molly Harris from London, said: "I'm a childminder and have spoken to the parents about the EYFS and they agree with me.
Another, Molly Harris from London, said: "I'm a childminder and have spoken to the parents about the EYFS and they agree with me.
"If they wanted a school environment with countless regulations they would have sent their children to a nursery. They wanted a homely relaxed environment."
"If they wanted a school environment with countless regulations they would have sent their children to a nursery. They wanted a homely relaxed environment."
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