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LONG READ: Closure of childminder agencies sparks doubts about the future of the model

Analysis In-Depth
The imminent closure of one agency and the move to' suspend' its service by another, means childminders must re-register with a new agency or Ofsted, as questions are asked about the agency model’s viability. Katy Morton reports
Two agencies have announced they are to close down
Two agencies have announced they are to close down

The viability of the childminder agency model has been called into question following the news that one childminder agencies is to close and another is no longer taking on members, leaving just six remaining, some of which have no members.

Rutland Early Years Agency announced earlier this month that it will close at the end of November following a second ‘ineffective’ Ofsted grade. One criticism by the inspectorate was that the agency had failed to carry out yearly quality assurance visits to all of its 700-plus childminders.

The assurance visits, which are a requirement expected of childminder agencies, have now been heavily criticised by those involved with agencies and the wider sector for being out of step with Ofsted’s inspection regime, which sees it inspecting independent childminders every four to six years unless a concern is raised.

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