Carers warned over risk of smacking

Education

The head of the watchdog that monitors childminders reopened the controversy over smacking by telling MPs she would never allow anyone to smack her own children and that carers who do smack put themselves at risk.

Maggie Smith, the head of Ofsted's early years division, told the all-party Commons Education and Skills Select Committee that her department has warned childminders against smacking, even if they have parental permission to do so.

This advice could put Ofsted at odds with the Government's controversial new policy which leaves decisions about smacking and smoking up to parents, allowing them to make their own agreements with childminders. The policy has provoked outcry from childcare groups and MPs since it was first suggested late last year.

Asked by the select committee chairman, Barry Sheerman, whether she would allow a childminder to smack or smoke around her own children, Mrs Smith replied: "Not at all." Even though smacking and smoking are legal, she said it was still a dangerous area for childminders because parents could easily change their minds.