Faced with a near halving of childminder numbers over the past decade, the government is to offer one-off cash incentives to encourage people into the role so that it can deliver its planned expansion of 30 hours funded childcare.
At the Budget in March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the government would introduce an incentive payment of £600 to first-time childminders, increasing to £1,200 for those who join through an agency. The government says the payments will be piloted this autumn with a view to wider roll out by 2025.
The introduction of a financial inducement is recognition that action is needed to reverse the decline in childminders – since 2012/13, the number of registered childminders has fallen by 46 per cent from 55,600 to 29,600 in 2021/22 (see graphics).
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
