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The previous government’s expansion of “free” childcare was intended to boost parental employment, by enabling more parents to work. However, this expansion is putting significant strain on the childcare sector. The number of childminders has sharply declined, with more leaving the profession than joining. Some providers are limiting the number of “free” places they can offer, while others are being forced to close due to unsustainable business conditions.
With a new government in place, there is now an opportunity to reassess childcare policies. Childminders often feel unheard, and it is vital for the future of childminding and parent’s choice that the decline in numbers is taken seriously. Our report summarises what the childminding workforce say is needed to enable them to be sustainable and attract new childminders to the sector.
The government expansion of what they term ‘FREE’ childcare, is aimed at encouraging and enabling more parents to work and will provide up to 30 hours of funded childcare to children over the age of 9 months for eligible families.
To enable parents to work, there needs to be sustainable, good quality and affordable childcare available and currently the governments own figures estimate that the funding only covers two thirds of the cost of providing a place, whilst informing the sector they are not permitted to charge top up fees to make up the difference.
Childminding numbers continue to fall, and many are worried about the impact of the childcare expansion as currently it is younger children and additional hours that enable them to be sustainable. This survey explores the issues felt in the childminding community and possible solutions.
It is widely recognised that the first 5 years of a child’s life are fundamental to their future chances, both in education, their opportunities for employment and building and maintaining effective relationships.
Childminding numbers have reduced significantly over recent years according to Ofsted figures with a fall of 7% between August 2021 and March 2022. Historically, childminding is a transient profession but with numbers remaining reasonably static. Sensible measures to reverse this trend should be investigated to enable parents to have the option of good quality regulated home from home childcare that is the uniqueness of childminding.
To contact us about our reports and to find out more about Childminding UK, call 01536 210685 or email [email protected].