More than 1,000 people have signed a petition at the Number 10 website, calling for a change of the meaning of 'reward' to 'money and gifts' in the Childcare Act to allow reciprocal childcare arrangements.
The two mothers, who wish to remain anonymous, work for the same company and have daughters the same age. When their children were a year old the women decided to return to work part-time in a job share. They agreed that while one was working, the other would look after both children.
However, Ofsted was alerted and banned the arrangement.
Nicola Davies, who lodged the petition, said, 'I understand this law should be in place to protect childminders and children. However, I think it has gone a bit far, as it means you can't look after a friend's child while they go to work and vice versa, unless you are related or go to their house.'
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