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Commenting on the news that childminders will be able to open to children from one household as of tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May), confirmed by the Department for Education this evening, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance:

"This is already an incredibly difficult and stressful time for early years providers, and they have frankly had enough of last-minute, contradictory guidance from the government.

"Childminders have been told three different things about plans to re-open in a matter of days. To inform them that they are able to open for children from a single household with less than a day's notice is simply not acceptable.

"Given that childminders operate from their own homes, providing care during this period poses unique challenges for them and many will need support and guidance to feel able to do so safely. As such, it's time that government stopped acting as though childminders are an afterthought, recognised that they are a fundamental part of the early years sector and started treating them as such."

Editor notes 

• The Early Years Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, it also provides high-quality affordable childcare and education to support children and families in areas of deprivation throughout the country.

• The Alliance represents 14,000 members and supports them to deliver care and learning to more than 800,000 families every year. We deliver family learning projects, offer information and advice, produce specialist publications, run acclaimed training programmes and campaign to influence early years policy and practice.

• The Alliance website is [