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Commenting on the government's announcement on income support for the self-employed, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“We welcome the vital financial support that today's announcement offers to self-employed childminders trying to stay afloat during the coronavirus outbreak, and are glad the the income threshold has been set at a far more reasonable level than earlier reports had suggested.

"That said, we are deeply concerned about the timings outlined today. Childminders have mortgages, rents, bills and other expenses to pay right now - how, then, can they be expected to wait until the start of June for any financial support, as the government has indicated? With many are already questioning whether or not they are able to stay open to key worker families and vulnerable children during this period, it is vital that they receive wage support as soon as possible. 

"With the number of families taking up formal childcare already falling significantly, childminders are already seeing huge drops in income from parent fees. As such, the government must outline what interim support it is making available for childminders who are doing as it has asked and providing care for key worker families and vulnerable children during this difficult time - otherwise, it is asking them to choose between continuing to provide a vital service for families in need, and facing financial ruin."