Opinion: Editor's view

What can be done to stop the numbers of childminders continuing to fall? Our news story this week (page 4) shows the steep decline over the past few years, and the drop seems likely to continue unless national and local government give more support to this part of the early years sector.

There was a smaller exodus of childminders when Ofsted took over inspection and regulation and the relative professionalisation of childminding began. But this section of the childcare workforce seemed to emerge stronger and better equipped to provide a quality service.

Now, however, there appears to be a more fundamental schism between those childminders happy to work with the Early Years Foundation Stage, and those who believe that it compromises the very nature of the service they want and feel able to offer. Comments on our website forum and elsewhere reveal significant numbers leaving or threatening to leave the job.

There is no doubt that the EYFS is easier to implement in a nursery or school than in your living room - though some childminders are doing it extremely well. One senses that some local authorities also find it less taxing to support and train group settings and are pushing parents towards that option as a result, often not engaging with the need to set up childminding networks either.

Some specific work needs to be done on how childminders can be better supported and on refining what is expected of childminding in how it operates under the EYFS. Perhaps this could be added to the list of priorities for Ruth Pimentel's successor (see Analysis, pages 12-13)!