* NCMA never has been and has no plans to be a union for nannies. Children and families are at the centre of our work and NCMA exists to give registered childminders help and support, including training, to enable them to provide the best possible quality home-based daycare for the community.
* We are a registered charity with more than 50,000 childminder members to whom we offer a range of support services and provide a public voice.
* Nannies have always been able to be members of NCMA, but now the charity has developed a new membership package, with advice from Nannies at Work, tailored to their needs.
* NCMA is not expecting nannies to become childminders.
The response to our plans, which have been endorsed by our trustees who are childminders, has been very positive. The membership scheme has been welcomed by nannies, agencies and Government.
The Government's childcare strategy is based on the need to develop a professional childcare workforce. Nannies make up an important part of that workforce and joining NCMA will mean they get the support they need to continue to develop professionally. They will be able to use their NCMA membership to demonstrate their professionalism to the families they support.
NCMA is happy to provide information about the new membership package to anyone who is interested.
Gill Haynes, chief executive, National Childminding Association, 8 Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EY
