The findings are in an annual survey of 1,000 parents published tocoincide with National Childminding Week (13-20 June), carried out onbehalf of the National Childminding Association.
According to the survey, there has also been a small increase in thenumber of parents choosing childminding, with 12 per cent of thosequestioned using a childminder, up from 10 per cent in last year'ssurvey.
Fifty-seven per cent of respondents cited the happiness and well-beingof their children as the most important factor in quality of childcare.The second most important factor given was location (25 per cent),followed by staff qualifications (22 per cent).
Angela Harrison from Medway has three children cared for by childminderSarah Robinson, who is a member of Medway Childminding Network.
Her four-year-old son Billy has been with Ms Robinson since he was one,along with 18-month-old Jessica and eight-year-old Jade, who is pickedup after school.
Ms Harrison said, 'It's really nice that all my children are togetherafter school. They gain so much from being in a home environment. Youcan use your free entitlement and it means all your family can betogether.'
NCMA joint chief executive Andrew Fletcher said the research showed thatparents were more satisfied with the quality of care registeredchildminders provide than with any other type of childcare.
He added, 'The high level of satisfaction was also reflected in thecost, hours of childcare provided and general satisfaction withchildcare arrangements when using registered childminders.'
Further information: www.ncma.org.uk/ncmw
