Nursery World - 'Set up register for informal childcare'

Informal childcarers in England should be recognised by being allowed to register as home carers, two campaigning organisations have urged the Government. The Daycare Trust and One Parent Families last week launched a joint report, Informal childcare: Bridging the gap for families, arguing that the Government ought to acknowledge that the majority of childcare for children under eight takes place in such informal settings as a relative's or neighbour's homes.

The Daycare Trust and One Parent Families last week launched a joint report, Informal childcare: Bridging the gap for families, arguing that the Government ought to acknowledge that the majority of childcare for children under eight takes place in such informal settings as a relative's or neighbour's homes.

The report said 70 per cent of employed women with dependent children used informal childcare, family, neighbours or nannies for all or part of their childcare needs. It said, 'Informal care for many parents is a positive and preferred choice. Many parents, particularly lone parents, rely on a combination of formal and informal care.'

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