Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted in Part
Remove barriers and introduce incentives to grow the childminder market
Recommendation
We recommend the Government work to remove or reduce the barriers preventing childminders setting up or continuing in businesses and consider developing more incentives to grow this market. It could do this, for example, by a) Allowing childminders to work together in settings outside their own home, following the French model of maisons d’assistants maternels (MAMs). b) Working with the Department of Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to remove barriers to childminders setting up businesses in rented properties. If this cannot be done through a voluntary process in which Registered Social Landlords and local authorities create a specific exemption for childminding businesses, then the DLUHC should consider legislation. c) Permitting parents to claim funded hours for their child if they are cared for by a registered childminder who is also a member of their extended family. An exemption for a childminder’s own children is understandable but it is unclear why grandchildren, nieces and nephews need to face the same barriers. d) Allowing Childminder Agencies to register part-time childminders and considering the balance of costs between Childminder Agency and Ofsted registration costs and fees. (Paragraph 55) Support for parents and families
Government Response Summary
The government commits to providing a new childminder start-up grant fund of up to £7.2 million over two years, offering £1200 for agency-registered and £600 for Ofsted-registered childminders. It has also launched a consultation exploring further flexibilities, workforce support, and a new childminder-specific EYFS framework, but does not commit to all specific examples listed.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Continuing to take action to maintain choice and availability for parents by attracting more people to childminding, through a start-up grant fund of up to £7.2 million over the next two years. Grants will be worth £1200 for those who choose to register with a Childminder Agency and £600 for those that register with Ofsted. Launched a consultation on further measures to support reform of the childcare market, to improve the childcare offer for parents. This included exploring further flexibilities for providers; growing and supporting the workforce; allowing childminders more choice over how they operate; and introducing a new, better tailored childminder-specific Early Years Foundation Stage framework.