Yesterday, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined Government plans to increase the number of childminders, recognising how the profession has been in decline for years, with ‘start-up’ grants of £600 for those who individually register with Ofsted and double that, £1,200, for those that register with a childminding agency. The aim of the grants, which are expected to come in from the autumn, are to support the costs of set-up and ‘grow the childcare market.’
PACEY broadly welcomed the announcement, but said they had also wanted to see ‘far more help for existing childminders who are finding it hard to carry on’.
Chief executive Helen Donohoe explained, ‘PACEY has been persistently calling for measures to address the alarming decline in childminder numbers. Our members have consistently told us that the time it takes to register and the up-front financial burden that presents can be off putting for some. So, we broadly welcome yesterday’s announcement of the sign-up bonus. However, in discussion with the DfE [Department for Education] and Treasury, it is clear that there is much work to be done on this policy to ensure it achieves the desired outcome.
‘What’s more we wanted to see far more help for existing childminders who are finding it hard to just carry on. PACEY will continue to work tirelessly to ensure childminders receive all the support they deserve.’
Similarly, Koru Kids, one of five childminding agencies currently operating, said it was ‘really disappointed’ not to see any ongoing support for agencies, while another childminding agency, Tiney, criticised the Government for not offering long-term support to agencies, which have the ‘potential to help solve the early years crisis.’
Childminding UK raised concerns about new childminders being able to make an income from the job if all the children they care for are underfunded following the news the Government is to extend the 30 hours of childcare to one and two-year-olds of working parents.
Operations manager Tina Maltman said, ‘We do need more childminders and so financial assistance to help them register is welcome, but once registered, they need to be able to provide a good quality service and make an income from it. If all the children they care for are underfunded, they can’t survive.’
‘New streamlined EYFS’
Within its Budget document, the Government says it will also launch a consultation on further measures to support reform of the childcare market, including allowing childminders more choice over how they operate and introducing a ‘new, streamlined childminder specific EYFS.’
