Letter: Suitable sitters

YOUR article "Scots parents could face court action for using an unsuitable babysitter" (10 August) states that parents could be held liable if their child is injured when in the care of an unsuitable childminder.

The definition of a childminder is someone who is registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland, police checked and holds a valid public liability insurance policy.

Childminders are professional childcarers and misuse of the term "childminder" demeans more than 5,000 childcare workers who consistently do very well, if not better, when compared with other childcarers.

Leigh Irvine

Scottish Childminding Association

Melville Terrace

Stirling