Nurseries 'need better quality workers'

The chief inspector of schools in England Sir Michael Wilshaw has said that he wants to get tougher on nurseries and childminders that are currently judged "satisfactory".

He wants them to be reclassified as "requiring improvement" and to carry our more inspections to ensure they improve.

Speaking on the Today programme, Sir Michael told today presenter Sarah Montague that "parents... should expect at least good provision" for their children.

He added: "the qualifications of those [working] in nurseries should be raised."

"We are calling on the government... to call for higher qualifications for those working in nurseries," he explained.

He said that it was "nonsense" that "entry qualifications to work with animals [as] a veterinary assistant are higher than for those working in nurseries".

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme on Friday 19 April 2013.