Nursery World - Early years organisations urge peers to vote against childminder agencies

Two leading early years organisations have written to members of the House of Lords ahead of next week's debate on childminding agencies.

In a joint letter, the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and the Family and Childcare Trust list reasons why peers should vote against the clause in the Children and Families Bill concerned with agencies.

In the letter, they argue that the clause (74) comes with significant risks, is unlikely to be successful in drawing new childminders to the profession and will do little to address the priorities for parents of quality and affordability.

The Children and Families Bill 2013 will be read for a third time at the House of Lords next Wednesday (5 February).

Signed by chief executives Liz Bayram and Anand Shukla, the letter explains the problems with letting childminder agencies register and inspect childminder members directly. They include:

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