In 1979, the National Childminding Association published a report on the operation of the Nurseries and Childminders Regulation Act of 1948. That report revealed several unsatisfactory aspects of the 1948 legislation and made several recommendations. In the years since 1979, no changes have been made in legislation or in government guidelines. However, local authorities have changed their attitudes and revised their interpretations of the legislation. The present report is intended to extend such changes and to lead to a unified approach to standards, registration, and support related to childminding in the United Kingdom. Recommended standards concern client, staff, environmental, and program characteristics; administrative procedures; cooperation with local authorities; feeding; diet; health; safety; record keeping; and multicultural minding. Suggestions are made for the procedure of registering childminders and a checklist for registration visits is provided. Also outlined are the elements of a comprehensive support system for childminders. It is pointed out that all of the suggestions made could be incorporated into existing legislation or into guidelines issued by the government and that change is urgently needed due to recent demographic changes and the increasing use of childminders as a service for prevention and rehabilitation. (RH)