The organisations spoke out after Ofsted's Early Years: Firm Foundationsreport showed an encouraging national picture for childcareprovision.
While the report shows that early years provision in most localauthorities met required standards, childcare organisations remainconcerned that a Government rethink of the Investors in Childrenchildcare quality assurance scheme could hinder efforts to raisestandards even higher.
"Quality assurance is really important to bring a whole setting togetherto improve standards as opposed to just 'we're doing this because wehave to'," said Susan Crane, director of the Daycare Trust.
She admitted parents were confused about quality assurance but said morerecognised the Investors in Children accreditation. "The accreditationreassures people."
She added quality assurance could take on added significance in light ofplans to deregulate some forms of childcare.
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