To ask the Secretary of State for Education what level of inspection fees for (a) individual childminders and (b) childminder agencies Ofsted are considering; and how much it costs Ofsted to carry out inspections of each type of childcare provision.

The costs of carrying out inspections are a matter for Ofsted and Her Majesty's chief inspector will be writing to the hon. Member about this. A copy of that letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

In relation to fees for Ofsted registered childminders, the registration fee is currently set at £35, and the annual fee for these childminders is also £35. We will announce the fees for childminder agencies in due course.