Childminder numbers and childcare places continue to fall but at a slower rate
Catherine Gaunt
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The number of childminders is continuing to fall but to a lesser degree than the previous quarter, according to the latest Ofsted figures.
The statistics, Registered childcare providers and places, show that 2,402 childminders left the sector, while 1,874 new childminders were registered between 31 March and 30 June.
There are now 528 fewer childminders than at the end of March. However, figures for the previous quarter showed that 917 childminders left between the end of 2009 and the end of March.
The figures also show a loss of 6,308 childcare places. The overall number of childcare places has dropped from 1,309,856 to 1,303,547.
During the same time period, the figures also show that more nurseries closed their doors than opened, leading to an overall loss of 134 nurseries.
However, this figure is lower than the closure rate for the previous quarter, which showed a loss of 248 early years settings.
Leslie Forsyth, interim director of operations at the National Childminding Association, said, ‘I am encouraged that the decline in the number of childminders is slowing down. It is also good news that there is an increase in the number of home childcarers and childcare on domestic premises, suggesting the home-based childcare as a whole is progressing well. This positive picture is reflected in NCMA’s own membership survey, which has shown that the overwhelming majority of registered childminders, who are members of NCMA expect to be childminding in 12 months' time.’
‘It is now important to maintain the momentum and to ensure that funding to enable childminders to remain sustainable, receive support and continue to offer high-quality childcare, stays in place to help numbers to increase.’
There are now 528 fewer childminders than at the end of March. However, figures for the previous quarter showed that 917 childminders left between the end of 2009 and the end of March.
The figures also show a loss of 6,308 childcare places. The overall number of childcare places has dropped from 1,309,856 to 1,303,547.
During the same time period, the figures also show that more nurseries closed their doors than opened, leading to an overall loss of 134 nurseries.
However, this figure is lower than the closure rate for the previous quarter, which showed a loss of 248 early years settings.
Leslie Forsyth, interim director of operations at the National Childminding Association, said, ‘I am encouraged that the decline in the number of childminders is slowing down. It is also good news that there is an increase in the number of home childcarers and childcare on domestic premises, suggesting the home-based childcare as a whole is progressing well. This positive picture is reflected in NCMA’s own membership survey, which has shown that the overwhelming majority of registered childminders, who are members of NCMA expect to be childminding in 12 months' time.’
‘It is now important to maintain the momentum and to ensure that funding to enable childminders to remain sustainable, receive support and continue to offer high-quality childcare, stays in place to help numbers to increase.’
