The call has been made by the National Childminding Association (NCMA) in response to a government consultation on new statutory guidance for children's centres.
The NCMA has criticised the guidance for not clearly referencing childminders as potential advisory board members and as stakeholders to be consulted on any key decisions.
Ian Marratt, NCMA's director of communications, said there are still not enough children's centres involving childminders in their delivery of early years education. He added that childminders are best placed to address the ongoing issue of insufficient childcare for disabled and school-aged children.
"Childminders are in a particularly good position to deliver more flexible childcare and tailor provision to the needs of parents, especially those with disabled children," he said. "In the current economy you often see parents working unusual hours, which childminders can accommodate for. Many childminders provide continuity for school-aged children as they can stay with one family from early years through to early teens."
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