The Government has been accused of ‘watering down childminder agencies’ with proposals to reduce the number of quality assurance visits and make practice support optional.
A DfE consultation on boosting childminder recruitment and retention states, ‘As the only bodies focused on the recruitment and retention of childminders, CMAs (childminder agencies) have the potential to increase the number of childminders and childcare places. We also want to ensure that the CMA regulatory framework is proportionate, allowing CMAs to operate effectively and expand, while ensuring safe and high-quality childcare provision.’
The consultation proposes:
Neil Leitch, chief executive of Early Years Alliance, called the proposals ‘extremely concerning and misguided’.
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