How widespread is membership of quality assurance schemes?
How does quality compare?
What do the best settings in quality assurance schemes look like?
How does quality assurance help providers and children?
What else makes a difference?
Where did quality assurance make no difference?
Why are some providers in quality assurance schemes judged less than good?
Are quality assurance schemes cost-effective?

How widespread is membership of quality assurance schemes?

About 5% of childminders and 16% of day-care providers have told us they are part of a quality assurance scheme. Such schemes help providers to work towards specific principles or standards of quality and improvement. Independent assessors award accreditation on a scheme to providers who demonstrate their achievements against the scheme requirements.