Parents of pre-school children are being left uninformed, a report says

Under the current system, inspectors cannot publicise investigations unless there is an "overriding public interest" in doing so - such as extreme physical risk to children - or unless care providers themselves give permission.

The education watchdog Ofsted said the law prohibited it from doing otherwise.

But Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons education committee, told BBC News Online this attitude was too "pedestrian" and that a more "macho" one was needed.

'Kept quiet'

In its report on Ofsted, the committee says holding back information could cause parents to "lose faith in both the providers and the system of inspection".

Mr Sheerman said: "We heard of a child who was rushed to hospital from a daycare centre when she started projectile vomiting.

"She had fallen out of a high-chair and was showing the classic signs of concussion. If someone wanted to hide that sort of thing, they could. It should be on the record.

If a change in the law is required, it should be brought forward as soon as possible Commons education select committee

"It's difficult to learn from your mistakes when they are kept quiet."

Ofsted has received 10,500 complaints about childcare providers since it started inspecting the pre-school sector - made up of child-minders, nurseries, cr�ches, out-of-school clubs and playgroups - in 2001.

Of the complaints, around a quarter were about the suitability of the person doing the job.

Inspectors have issued 345 enforcement actions, a third of them against childminders who had acted illegally.

David Bell, the chief inspector of schools in England, told the committee that Ofsted's duty was to publish lists of registered childcare providers and the findings of regular inspections.

'New proposals'

In law, a "duty of confidentiality" prevented complaints about registered suppliers being made public without their permission, he added.

The committee's report recommends: "If a change in the law is required, it should be brought forward as soon as possible."

An Ofsted spokesman said: "Ofsted is working with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to address the situation where providers do not need to give such information.

"We expect new proposals will be out for consultation in the autumn."

A DfES spokeswoman added: "It is important that parents can have confidence in their childcare arrangements.

"Ofsted has recently initiated a procedure for voluntary disclosure of information about complaints against childcare providers.

"We welcome this initiative as a positive response to the real concerns of parents who have complained to Ofsted and want more information about the outcome of their investigation.