Praise for city childcare

Fewer than three per cent of registered childcarers checked were found to be inadequate - though fewer than three per cent were outstanding.

The vast majority - more than 95 per cent - were at least satisfactory, and half were rated as good.

Ofsted inspectors visited 570 childcare providers between April 2005 and June 2007, and their findings have been included in a major new national report.

The profile shows that 60.4 per cent of childcarers inspected in Sheffield were judged to be good at helping children to enjoy and achieve.