AN MP today called for an official qualification in childminding to be introduced after a toddler drowned in his drunken carer's bath.

Wendy Barlow, 37, of Eightacre Avenue, Sabden, was jailed for three years for manslaughter after 19-month-old Joshua Massey-Hodgkinson died at her home last April.

Barlow, who had drunk up to three bottles of wine at the time, was not allowed to look after children at night -- something which was not flagged up to his parents by regulators Ofsted.

Joshua's parents, Simon Hodgkinson and Emma Massey, of St Paul's Terrace, Clitheroe, called for action after it was revealed in court that the child minder had told inspectors she was prone to binge-drinking before they registered her.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans -- who arranged for Joshua's grandmother to meet childrens minister Margaret Hodge last week -- believes a recognised vocational qualification in childminding would help restore faith in the profession.

The regulatory body for childminders, Ofsted, has been under fire for allowing her to look after children but it has said she passed its vetting procedure.

Mother-of-three Barlow pleaded guilty to Joshua's manslaughter at Preston Crown Court.

Ofsted is now understood to be considering an official qualification in childminding which all new recruits would have to undergo.

Currently, childminders have to attend pre-registration briefing before being allow to apply for a licence. Once registered, they have to undertake a one or two day training course within the first six months.

Mr Evans said: "There is a real need for a qualification which assures parents that their registered childminder has covered all the basics. At the same time, the rules need tightening. People who admit to binge-drinking shouldn't be allowed to become childminders."