CHILDMINDERS in Worcestershire have welcomed the Government's decision

not to post their names and addresses on the internet.

Last year, education watchdog Ofsted announced plans to publish inspection reports on its website, including contact details such as the names and home addresses of carers.

But the move sparked outrage from the National Childminding Association (NCMA), which claimed personal privacy would be compromised and children might be put at risk.

Meetings between Ofsted and NCMA members last summer revealed the overwhelming majority wanted their personal details kept off the internet.

And the Government this week announced it would honour their wishes and maintain the carers' anonymity.

"It's very positive because Ofsted have obviously listened to the wishes of the childminders," said Yvonne Bowler, a NCMA member from St John's.

"Safety is the most important issue and this is a very sensible precaution because you never know who could be calling."

Publishing the inspection reports means that parents will be able to view childminders at a glance, and Mrs Bowler agreed it could certainly save time for prospective clients.

"Everyone has specific needs and with reports published on the internet people can quickly find a childminder that suits them," she said.

"As it is we send information - such as whether we are full, what hours we are open and so on - to the Children's Information Service and they advise parents.

"If parents have already found a childminder on the internet and just need contact details, the system could become even easier."

Reports will go on-line from April 2005 when the next round of childcare inspections takes place.

The Ofsted website will reveal part of the childminder's postcode and registration number. Parents will then contact Worcestershire CIS for full contact details.

Ofsted's chief inspector, David Bell, was confident the plans had struck a balance between protecting children, maintaining carers' privacy and giving parents information.

The agency took over responsibility for the registration and inspection of day care and childminding in 2001.