Since the end of 2008, childminder figures had been falling, but the numbers began to steadily rise again from September 2010.
With the latest quarterly statistics for the three months up to the end of September revealing there are 58,194 registered childminders in England, it means for the first time the total number of childcare providers has exceeded the number registered in December 2008.
Childminders make up 60 per cent of childcare providers registered with Ofsted.
An Ofsted spokeswoman said: "After a long period of decline, the number of childcare providers in England has now risen steadily since September last year."
But while childminders have boosted childcare figures, the number of larger providers on non-domestic premises, such as nurseries and crèches has fallen, with a net fall of 185 providers during the last quarter – a 0.7 per cent reduction since June.
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