Press Story

Childminders are opposed to government plans for new childminder agencies because they fear they will weaken their relationships with families, have a negative impact on the quality of provision and do nothing to make childcare more affordable, according to a new report from the think tank IPPR.

A survey of over 1,000 childminders by IPPR reveals that more than eight out of ten (86 per cent) thought that the introduction of agencies could lead to higher business costs, which could be passed on to parents.

The new report shows that the UK has some of the most expensive childcare in the world. The cost of a nursery place has increased by six per cent in the last year and a dual-earner couple on an average wage with two children will spend more than a quarter (27 per cent) of their net family income on childcare, more than any other OECD country except for Switzerland.

IPPR's report shows that childminders fear they would have to pass on extra charges to parents and that poor quality childminders would be able to shelter from inspectors under plans for new agencies and a lighter touch inspection regime. Only 7 per cent support the idea of moving away from individual Ofsted inspections (through collective agency assessment) preferring individual inspections.

Imogen Parker, Researcher at IPPR, said:

"Changes to ratio regulation have dominated the debate on childcare reform, but now Nick Clegg has blocked changes to ratios, the focus is on the other aspects of the government's reform proposals. Childminders are deeply concerned about the potential impact of the reform agenda especially the proposal for new agencies alongside the removal of individual inspections. Childminders believe these would be detrimental to the quality of provision and safety of children, and would do little to attract new entrants to the profession.

"Childcare costs in England are too high for parents. But childminders believe the current proposals do little to make childcare more affordable, indeed agency fees could push costs even higher. There is little evidence that reforms will lower prices or boost quality, both of which are key aims of the government's reform agenda."

The report shows:

Almost three quarters (73 per cent) actually say there should be extra requirements on becoming a childminder. Almost half (45 per cent) say childminders should be required to hold a relevant level 3 qualification (A-level standard) within two years of registration.
The majority (58 per cent) think more regulation would have a positive impact of the sector (and reject the suggestion of cutting regulation - 62 per cent thought this would have a negative impact);
The vast majority (74 per cent) were against the possibility of looking after more children (despite the fact they thought they would earn more) because they felt it might compromise the quality or safety of their care.

As well as worries about undermining quality, childminders doubt whether the government's proposed reforms would actually make childcare more affordable for parents:

86 per cent of childminders thought the introduction of agencies would increase their business costs because of fees, meaning "costs to parents would have to go up";
Had ratios been relaxed, childminders said that they would not have been able to pass on savings to parents. While 76 per cent believe relaxing ratios would have increased their monthly earnings, 93 per cent said they would not change the amount they charged to parents per child. Less than 2 per cent said they would decrease the cost per child (as the government had hoped), while 5 per cent said they would increase costs.

Childminders told IPPR:

"These agencies are a very bad idea, they will promote weaker childminders because they will want to make a profit and the respect and reputation of good childminders will be damaged."

"When I registered, I was able to start without any formal qualifications. I was really shocked by that and would not want to see the same repeated. I want to see childminders respected as childcare professionals, not a second class group of workers that this Government seems to think we are."

"I will not sign up to an agency, I will not take on more children as this is an accident waiting to happen... If it came down to being deregulated or you can't do the job, I wouldn't childmind - I have worked too hard the last 5 years to become a glorified babysitter."

"People with weak Ofsted reports may be tempted to join an agency so that they can "claim" the agencies overall inspection rating. You would not get a true reflection on the individual childminder's abilities and standards which [would be] detrimental to any parent and child who is placed with them."

Notes to editors

IPPR's new report - Early Years reform: childminders' responses to government proposals - is published on Monday 8 July and will be available to download from:http://bit.ly/IPPR10977

IPPR's report on childcare systems:

http://www.ippr.org/publication/55/9763/double-dutch-the-case-against-deregulation-and-demand-led-funding-in-childcare

IPPR's report on the case for universal childcare:

http://ippr.org/publications/55/8382/making-the-case-for-universal-childcare

Contacts

Richard Darlington, 07525 481 602, r.darlington@ippr.org