A GOVERNMENT minister has vowed to learn lessons from an independent inquiry into the death of a toddler who drowned while his minder was drunk.

Children's minister Margaret Hodge made the pledge during a meeting at Westminster with the grandmother of Joshua Massey-Hodgkinson, who died in the bath at Wendy Barlow's home last April.

Today grandma Cathy Massey said the meeting had been constructive and the issues it raised affected every parent in the country.

Barlow, 37, of Eightacre Avenue, Sabden, was jailed for three years on Tuesday for manslaughter.

Joshua, who lived with his parents Emma Massey and Paul Hodgkinson in St Paul's Terrace, Clitheroe, drowned in the early hours after climbing into a bath with Barlow, who had drunk up to three bottles of wine.

The court at Preston heard Barlow had admitted to health workers involved in her application to become a childminder that she was prone to binge drinking, yet she was still given a licence.

She looked after Joshua overnight, despite only being licensed for day care -- a fact his parents were not aware of.

Regulatory body Ofsted today admitted being told of 'an incident' of binge drinking by a health worker but said "follow-up health checks gave no cause for concern."

Mrs Hodge's Department for Education and Skills, which Ofsted answers to, promised to act on the findings of the independent inquiry.

Cathy Massey, who lives in Clitheroe, and works at a vets in Burnley, said: "I think it was a constructive meeting. Ofsted were there and they made excuses for why it took so long to feed into the inquiry. Mrs Hodge just told them to stop dragging their feet.

"My concern is that Joshua was with a childminder registered by Ofsted even though she admitted to being prone to binge drinking. An admission like that should automatically mean a registration isn't issued.

"This is a matter which effectively involves every family in the country because people who use childminders need to know that the registration process is as rigorous as can be.

I've been promised any recommendations will be considered but I'll keep fighting."

Mrs Massey praised Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans for his support.

A Government spokesman said: "Maragaret Hodge was keen to meet the family and express her sympathy and speak to them personally.

"The minister will await the independent review of the case and pay regard to any lessons that could be learnt should they be found."

An Ofsted spokeswoman said: "We have already forwarded the outcome of our internal case review. This review concluded that we had carried out all the necessary checks when registering Wendy Barlow, including comprehensive medical checks which advised Mrs Barlow was suitable to be approved as a childminder.

"We hope this tragic case will help raise awareness among parents that if they have any concerns about a childminder not complying with their registration conditions they should report them to us immediately."