During its second year as childcare regulator, the government agency looked into 6,250 complaints, 1,125 involving child protection
Of these, 601 were referred to social services.
Most were allegations of rough handling or smacking of children.
Ofsted investigated 55 per cent of all complaints, with 36 per cent investigated by the provider, who then reported back to the agency.
In the other cases, the Ofsted inspection date was brought forward.
Of the 3,422 Ofsted investigations, 39 per cent led to informal action agreed by the provider, according to the report which covers April 2003 and March 2004.
In 378 cases (11 per cent), formal action was taken, including 84 "very serious" cases where carers were stopped from looking after children, 49 of them permanently.
Prosecutions were brought in four cases and emergency orders from magistrates were used in three.
There were 87 voluntary suspensions and 249 compliance notices were issued.
More than a hundred enforcement notices were also served on unregistered childminders.
Of all childcare providers graded by the agency between April 2003 and June 2004 (correct), 99 per cent were found to be good or satisfactory.
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