Government 'pushed' for action to prevent the number of childminders falling to just 1,000

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) is using Childminding Week 2024 (11-17 May) to raise the profile of childminders and lobby for urgent Government action to help retain childminders whose numbers have dwindled for years.

PACEY has started a social media campaign, #IAmAChildminder, encouraging childminders to share how their everyday work impacts families.

To push for Government action, it has launched a new manifesto for childminders, setting out key policy ‘asks’, underpinned by a strategic long-term vision for the sector, to prevent the number of childminders falling to 1,000 in England in 11 years’ time, from a high of 60,000. The calculation by PACEY is based upon childminder numbers continuing to decline at the current rate.

The key ‘policy asks’ include:

• A universal, national funded programme of childminder pre-registration support.
• Reform of the current rule that excludes non-parental relatives from providing funded childcare to related children in England.
• An obligation on all local authorities to audit existing wrap-a-round provision in their area and avoid undermining childminder provision.
• Improvements to the Universal Credit system to allow for the unique working context of childminders.
• A joined-up, national approach to define and clarify local planning, commercial waste and environmental health requirements for childminders to reduce any burdens.
• A long-term strategy for early education and childcare that understands the unique value of childminders and puts them at the centre of addressing the unequal access that is currently leaving disadvantaged children, including those with SEND and ALN, missing out.

'Without meaningful action, many childminders will be left at breaking point with little confidence to remain in the profession.'

Helen Donohoe, chief executive at PACEY, said, ‘Childminding Week presents an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the fantastic work that childminders do, but we must continue this momentum to ensure a bright future for childminding. PACEY’s manifesto highlights what this future could look like, with rightful recognition for the workforce and a comprehensive, long-term strategy from Government.  

‘Without meaningful action, many childminders will be left at breaking point with little confidence to remain in the profession. This is heart-breaking when we consider the vital service childminders provide to families in their communities, particularly those in highest need.’