Research Report: Study of the Quality of Childminder Provision in England

Authors: Maria Pia Otero, 4Children and Edward Melhuish, University of Oxford

Published by: Department for Education, September 2015

Summary

Childminders play a major role in childcare provision for two-year-olds but little in-depth research has been carried out in this area. This study – Study of Early Education and Development (SEED): Study of the Quality of Childminder Provision in England – looked at a sample of 99 childminders from across five regions in England and gathered data through observation of practice and interviews using a set of structured questions.

Almost all childminders in the study had other jobs before becoming childminders, with a third previously working in childcare-related employment. The most common relevant qualification held was a Level 3 diploma with most childminders – 92 per cent – in the sample having a Level 3 or higher qualification. Almost half worked with at least one assistant or co-childminder. Half of the assistants or co-childminders had a Level 3 qualification relevant to working with children and a quarter had no formal education related to working with children.