Alliance urges government rethink on childminder agencies following pilot results
28th July 2014
The Pre-school Learning Alliance has called for a “fundamental rethink” on childminder agency plans following the news that half of the organisations involved in the government pilot will not be setting up an agency.
An investigation by early years trade magazine Nursery World revealed that, of the 20 organisations that participated in the childminder agency pilot, which ended earlier this year, 10 have confirmed that they do not plan to set up an agency in September, while a further four are undecided.
Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch said:
“The fact that so few of the organisations that took part in the trial are planning to set up an agency in September should be a clear sign to government that that current model is unlikely to succeed in the long term.
“Childminders are a vital part of the early years sector, offering high quality and flexible early years care and education, and so it’s important that we look at ways of ensuring adequate access to support, training and advice. However, it’s clear that the model currently being proposed by government is not the way to achieve this. Instead we are likely to see increase childcare costs due to the additional layer of agency fees, and, potentially, serious safeguarding issues as — despite almost universal sector opposition — °ϲʹ won’t be required to inspect individual registered childminders.
“It’s clear from the trial that this policy needs a fundamental rethink. We hope that the new childcare minister will take heed of these results, listen to the sector’s concerns and work in partnership with childminders to develop a sustainable support framework that works for practitioners, parents and, most importantly, children.”
For further information, please .
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes for editors
- The Alliance’s Early Years Agenda survey revealed that only 3% of childminders are planning to join a childminder agency.
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: