Although the manifesto's stated intention is to outline 'how the next Government should be supporting registered childminding', the NCMA is also using it to contrast its own quality standards with the Government's. While the national standards say childminders in England will be the only daycare providers allowed to smack the children in their care and to smoke in the children's presence with parents' permission, the quality standards state that 'NCMA childminders never slap, smack, shake, bite, frighten or humiliate a child' and they 'ensure a smoke-free environment while they are childminding'.
The NCMA's four-point manifesto calls on the next Government to raise the profile and status of childminding by valuing it 'equally with other quality care', in part by ensuring children are not exposed to smoking and smacking in any daycare setting, including childminding.
The manifesto also calls on the next Government to make sure any childcare subsidies do not give one type of childcare advantages over another and review how the childcare tax credit element of the Working Families Tax Credit is paid, because a number of childminders have been losing money under the scheme; to give parents more help with childcare costs so that childminders are not subsidising 'affordable' childcare by accepting low pay; and to ensure that all newly-registered childminders have nationally accredited introductory training, as well as providing funding to enable childminders to gain a relevant level 3 qualification within five years of their registration.
NCMA chair Lynn Daley said, 'Parents need to know that NCMA childminders already work to quality standards - which are higher than the new national standards - and that we will continue to campaign for high-quality childcare for the benefit of children, families and the community.'
The full manifesto is available on the website www.nmca.org.uk
