The British crackup continues apace.

The one country in the general vicinity of Europe with even a smidgen of sense flushes that smidgen down the loo.

Should I call it "The destruction of the family continues apace"?

Under the Childcare Bill, childminders would teach the curriculum to children "from birth" - with some worrying that it might be too prescriptive.

The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations called the proposals "bizarre".

But the children's charity I Can said there was clear evidence youngsters' communication needs were not being met.

Parents' associations spokeswoman Margaret Morrissey said: "We are now in danger of taking away children's childhood when they leave the maternity ward.

"From the minute you are born and your parents go back to work, as the government has encouraged them to do, you are going to be ruled by the Department for Education.

"It is absolute madness."

The proposals for the first three years of children's development give statutory force to existing guidelines, Birth to Three Matters, published two years ago.

Those would in future cover all providers of early years care, including childminders.

They highlight four "aspects" of early learning: that children should be strong, in the sense of self-assured; healthy; skilful communicators who listen and respond; and "competent learners" - imaginative and creative.