New figures show a significant drop in the number of childminders registered with the Care Commission in Scotland.

The watchdog's annual report for 2004/05, issued last week, reveals anoverall decrease of 232 childminder services representing 429 fewerplaces. The commission plans to examine the trend in more detail with areview of the quality of childminding in Scotland this year.

The figures also show a rise in complaints against care servicesincluding daycare and childminding. In the 12 months to March 2005, itdealt with 320 complaints about daycare and 99 about childminders.However, the number of complaints upheld has not changed significantlysince last year.

The commission's chief executive Jacquie Roberts said the statisticspointed to greater awareness of the commission's role in investigatingcomplaints.

- www.carecommission.com.