Illegal childminders can expect a crackdown from the authorities, Bradford Council said today.

A report on the council's in-house watchdog, the Registration and Inspection Unit, recommends efforts to monitor illegal childminders should continue as they are still a cause of concern.

The inspection unit has been given the thumbs up in an annual report by council chief executive Richard Penn.

The report confirms that the unit has again met all the Department of Health's requirements and is carrying out its work effectively in a professional, independent and even-handed manner.

Last year it made more than 1,600 checks, including planned and surprise visits, on childminders, nurseries, creches, playschemes and services caring for adults including elderly care homes.

The unit has been urged to continue monitoring illegal childminders, and further develop a childminding data base as well as look into why there are so few childminders drawn from the city's ethnic minority groups.

Councillor Mike Young, chairman of the social services committee, said: "Childminders are a very important part of the community as they do extremely valuable work.

"That's why we want to ensure that those caring for children are registered with the authority and are fully qualified to do this work.

"We will continue to crack down on illegal childminders as we believe that our children deserve to be looked after by suitable carers in a safe environment.

"We will be maintaining our links to the Bradford Childminders' Association, which the council was instrumental in setting up last year, as well as continuing to provide childminders with support and training.

"Once again I am pleased to say the unit is doing a good job and is meeting the standards set by the Department of Health."

A council spokesman said the unit acted on tip-offs from neighbours who believed people were minding other people's children without being properly registered.

In many cases, the childminders were well-meaning and had no idea registration was necessary, the spokesman added.

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