Nursery World - Analysis: Childminding networks struggle to expand

Lack of investment means less than half of local authorities have childminders offering the free entitlement. So are childminders being left behind in delivering this key aspect of Government policy? asks Laura Marcus

To offer the free entitlement, a childminder must be a member of an accredited network, but it is a requirement that is turning out to prove onerous to some childminders and local authorities. It is also raising questions about how the networks need to develop if the free entitlement, and the EYFS, are to be delivered successfully.

Only a minority of childminders are offering the free entitlement for three- and four-year-olds, according to the 2008 Early Years Census figures (News, 24 July). Announcing the figures, children's minister Beverley Hughes also revealed that only 72 local authorities have accredited childminding networks - less than half of the 150 authorities across England.

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