THE death of toddler Joshua Massey Hodgkinson in April 2004 was a terrible tragedy.

But today we learn that the loss of life may not have been in vain - and that is some comfort to his family.

The child died when he drowned in the bath of drunken childminder Wendy Barlow.

And an official report earlier this year criticised inspectors from the watchdog Ofsted for failing to ask more questions about Barlow's drinking habits. Had they done that, Joshua's death could have been prevented, the report said.

It followed a "Justice for Joshua" campaign, backed by the Telegraph, which called for tighter regulations and better training for childminders, and easier access to information for parents about childminders. Yesterday Joshua's mother, Emma and grandmother, Cathy, met with Children's Minister Beverley Hughes to discover if any progress had been made following the report.

They were told a panel had been established to look at whether any childminder applicant with a history of drinking should automatically be barred from registration; that Ofsted inspectors had been given a new protocol - named after Joshua - which aims to get them asking more questions about drinking; and that plans were being drawn up for all childminders to have an NVQ qualification by 2015.

Clearly there has been progress and the government appears to have listened to Joshua's family - and the legions of Telegraph readers who backed their campaign.

But it is important that the family keeps on pushing to ensure the government now delivers on its promises.