Most childminders were good at managing behaviour

Some 48% were graded "good" on overall childcare, which includes safety, catering and teaching good behaviour.

One in a hundred care and learning providers were "unsatisfactory" and the remainder "satisfactory".

However, several thousand were judged to be unsatisfactory at ensuring the protection of children in their care.

But Ofsted boss David Bell said some "truly inspirational" work was going on in nurseries and homes of childminders.

'Important years'

He added: "Parents can be assured that the vast majority of childcare providers in this country are doing a good job in keeping children safe and preparing them for life at their 'big school'.

"As I've said before, the first four or five years of a child's life are very important in preparing them for school, for work and for life, so it's of paramount importance that we have a healthy childcare sector."

Mr Bell also said: "I would like to see good practice become common practice in all childcare settings."

Managing behaviour

The report - Early Years: Firm Foundations - shows that childcare providers are strongest at managing children's behaviour, with 68% judged as good.

Food and drink standards reached this level of quality in 56% of cases and safety against accidents in 53%.

However, the proportion deemed good fell to 35% when it came to ensuring child protection from outside dangers, such as abuse, with 3% unsatisfactory.

Ofsted carried out inspections between April 2003 and March this year.

It has recently started publishing the results online.