The only time a childminder would have sole charge of six children is after school and during school holidays. Then the age range is completely different to that in a nursery - the children will range in age from under-one to eight.
Most childminders I know earn much less than 3 per hour and, with the expenses childminding incurs, the true figure is far lower. Few childminders can afford to employ an assistant. Besides, an assistant is not allowed to be in sole charge of the children, so if the childminder became ill, the parents would still have to find someone else to cover.
Ms Mills should get her facts straight before she starts maligning childminders. We are all in the same profession and should command the same respect. Nurseries and childminders are not in competition with each other, and we should not be trying to 'score points' by bad mouthing.
Sara Hooper, secretary, Worcester County Childminding Association, Redditch, Worcester
