Alliance comments on childminder agency trial evaluation
5th September 2014
Commenting on the childminder agency trial evaluation published today by the Department for Education, Neil Leitch, Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:
“This evaluation tells us very little we didn’t already know about agencies, and seems to be intended as a guidance document for organisations considering setting up agencies, rather than an objective analysis of the respective pros and cons of the model.
What the evaluation does make clear, however, is that the steps that agencies will need to take to provide a service of value — such as employing suitably qualified staff, carrying out regular quality assurance visits and providing bespoke face-to-face support — all have significant cost implications.
“Given that research has shown that these costs are likely to be passed on to parents, many of whom are already struggling with the cost of childcare, we still fail to see how this model can be viable in the long-term.”
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Notes for editors
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
- Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
- For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: