Nursery World - Rutland childminder agency to close after second 'ineffective' Ofsted grade

Rutland childminder agency is to close at the end of November after it was re-inspected by Ofsted in June and retained its ineffective grade, impacting more than 700 childminders who risk losing funding or having to shut their businesses.

Rutland Early Years Agency will close at the end of November after eight years in business, PHOTO: REYA

Rutland Early Years Agency Limited (REYAL), which is one of the largest childminder agencies in the country, was first rated ineffective in all areas by Ofsted towards the end of last year, leaving local authorities considering withdrawing funding from hundreds of childminder members.

Nursery World reported in February this year, when the inspection report was published, that the agency had approximately 766 members across 109 local authorities.

Following its inspection between October and November last year, Rutland was re-inspected in June. Again, Ofsted rated the agency ineffective in all areas.

The Department for Education told Nursery World that it is 'doing everything it can to support those affected by the closure of the Rutland childminder agency, and to make sure everyone who wants to do so is able to stay in the profession.'

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