DfE approves childminder agencies plan despite safeguarding concerns

The DfE has said the plans are subject to parliamentary approval but expects the new arrangements to be in place in time for next month’s deadline.

Under the plans, childminders will have the option of registering with and being inspected by Ofsted.

The proposed inspection framework, published in May, prompted the early years sector to warn about potential safeguarding issues and called on the government to abandon the plans.

However, in its response to its childminder agencies and changes to the local authority role consultation, the DfE reveals that it will not request any changes to the proposed framework.

The report reveals that a number of respondents raised concerns about the “clarity of safeguarding arrangements” but states that the views expressed do not “warrant changes” to the draft regulations.

However, the report does acknowledge that the issue is complex and states that the government will say more about it in due course.

Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, is disappointed with the decision.

She said: “The assurances from the DfE that Ofsted’s registration and inspection criteria will be enough to ensure quality mean little when you consider agencies will not be providing direct services to parents, and that childminders who register with an agency will no longer have an Ofsted registration.

"Although the decision to require agencies to share agency-registered childminder inspection grades with local authorities is welcome, the fact agencies won’t be required to share those grades publicly risks parents being unable to easily access information about childminder quality, thus further confusing the system.”

The DfE received 678 responses to its consultation, including those featuring comments on extremist views.

Earlier today Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced plans to give councils powers to stop funding for early years providers with links to extremism.