At 'The business case for childcare - Childminding networks deliver', organised by the National Childminding Association (NCMA), Mr Johnston said that 'improved morale, better recruitment and retention, less absenteeism and increased productivity' were among the benefits employers who supported childcare would see.
He said the Government intended to do more to help working fathers who were finding the 'culture of long hours' was preventing them from being as active as they would like in caring for their children. 'Fathers are being more vocal in expressing their concern that they're not seeing their children grow up because of out-of-date working practice,' Mr Johnston said. 'We want to help ensure that flexible working can allow men to play the part they want in bringing up their children.'
Earlier at the conference, Judy Greevy, head of diversity at AMP Business in the UK, spelled out the business case for supporting childcare within her company, which employs 6,000 people across England. She said that at present it provided staff with local information on childcare and a carers'
helpline. She said, 'Employers do see there is a business case for childcare' and what they needed was a level playing field for all registered childcare that included home childcare, as well as increased provision of quality care.
NCMA chief executive Gill Haynes cited childminding networks as 'one of the most cost-effective ways of retaining and recruiting staff' for companies 'faced with the dilemma of finding childcare that offers quality and value for money but they don't have the space or the resources to provide a workplace nursery'. She said childminding networks would cost employers 'as little as 4.50 per place per week, excluding tax and national insurance savings'.
There are now 93 approved childminding networks in England and Wales, and another 100 in development.
