Nursery World - Childminders' professionalism at risk with introduction of agencies

The early years sector has urged caution over plans to introduce childminding agencies, as set out in the Children and Families Bill.

Early years and childcare organisations warn it could lead to a two-tier system, confuse parents and put childminders' professionalism at risk.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said, 'More research should be done before the Coalition Government adopts the same agency model used widely in the Netherlands, as many of these agencies provide very little in the way of childminding support or training. We question why the Government would create another layer of bureaucracy that may see parents and childminders pay more while also duplicating the work of several organisations already in existence.'

Catherine Farrell, joint chief executive of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) said, 'Our members have overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to establish childminder agencies.We've consistently raised concerns with the minister about the planned introduction of the agency model and we do not plan to actively help the department with the development of the model.

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