It's not easy for any parent to leave their young child with someone else while they work. And to hear that a childminder shook a baby in her care to death will have raised extra concerns for untold numbers of parents.

In a case described in court as "every parent's nightmare", registered childminder Keran Henderson was found guilty of shaking 11-month-old Maeve Sheppard to death.

But although the case is worrying, many parents have no choice but to use childcare while they work, and childminding is a popular option - the total number of places available in England alone last year was 272,600.

Alison Garnham, joint chief executive of the childcare charity Daycare Trust, says: "The death of Maeve Sheppard is an appalling tragedy, but an exceptional one.

"Parents should be reassured that the overwhelming majority of childminders do an excellent job, and the 200,000-plus children in their care are safe, happy and well cared-for."

Childminders have to undergo a series of checks before they can be registered with Ofsted to care for children aged under eight. If a childminder looks after children without being registered, they face prosecution - unless they are a close relative of the children in their care, or included in one of several other exclusion categories such as foster parents.

Garnham adds: "All registered childcare settings - childminders as well as nurseries - are subject to a rigorous system of checks by Ofsted to ensure their ratio of staff to children is appropriate, and that they're offering an environment which ensures that children are safe and happy.

"While every parent and childcare provider will feel the greatest sympathy with the Sheppard family, parents have every reason to feel confident that their children are safe in childcare."

The vast majority of childminders provide an extremely safe and stimulating environment for children

Ofsted looks at 14 national standards for childminding, which include childminders completing a pre-registration course and training in first aid for babies and young children, and carrying out changes to their premises recommended by Ofsted.

Andrew Fletcher of the National Childminding Association says: "It's about more than just keeping children safe - it's about their cognitive development as well.

"Registration looks at whether the childminder is a suitable person for the job, and at learning, playing and developmental outcomes for the child."

There are other checks such as a Criminal Records Bureau check, and a visit from an Ofsted inspector to ascertain the suitability of both the childminder and their premises.

After registration, inspection visits are carried out at least once every three years, "with a minimum of notice".

Fletcher says: "It's an ongoing process, and as well as keeping children safe, it demonstrates to parents that the setting and the childminder are of quality."

He advises parents looking for childminders to get a list of them from their local authority Children's Information Service, make a shortlist and initially ring those on the list to ask questions important to them, such as, Are the children cared for of mixed ages or not?' Does the childminder provide meals?' and so on. Then visit their home to have a chat and look round, before making a decision.

Fletcher adds: "Whatever the decision, always remember that the vast majority of childminders provide an extremely safe and stimulating environment for children."

For advice on choosing childcare, go to www.daycaretrust.org.uk, or contact the Daycare Trust information line on 0207 840 3350.

11:36am Monday 17th March 2008

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