Childminder numbers drop 19 per cent in four years
Nina Jacobs
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Childminder numbers are plummeting, with more continuing to leave than join the profession every year, Ofsted figures have revealed.
The downward trend has prompted early years groups to call for urgent government action to stem the losses.
Since August 2015, the number of registered childminders has dropped by 9,000 (19 per cent), according to the inspectorate's early years statistics.
The data shows there were 39,000 registered childminders at the end of March, down by 800 (two per cent) on the same period last year.
In the first three months of this year, 1,300 childminders left the childcare sector and just 500 joined.
The number of joiners is also slowing - it is lower than the same period over the previous three years.
Between January and March 2016, there were 900 joiners, almost double the number seen for the same period this year, the report said.
Childminder movement in successive January to March periods: Source: Ofsted
The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) said the continued drop in registered childminders was a "major concern" for its members.
The organisation said in response to the declining numbers it was working with researchers at the University of Plymouth to identify factors preventing people from choosing childminding as a career.
"PACEY is committed to tackling this issue as we believe childminding offers families unique, high-quality and personalised childcare and early education. Future generations should not miss out," said Liz Bayram, the organisation's chief executive.
She said factors influencing childminders to leave the profession included registration delays at Ofsted and a recent decision to end a childcare business grant for new childminders.
Bayram called on the government to work alongside early years groups to tackle issues that were putting people off from entering the profession.
"We have already started this work, both through our research with University of Plymouth and discussions with our members.
"We are certain there is more we can do to address this continued decline but only with the support of government, regulators and other stakeholders," she said.
The Early Years Alliance backed calls for the government to take action to address the decline in childminder numbers.
"If we want a flexible, quality early years sector, then childminders are a vital part. It's deeply troubling to see the number of childminders continue to fall at such a dramatic rate," said Neil Leitch, the alliance's chief executive.
"If the government wants childcare at its most convenient and affordable, then childminders need to be at the centre of their early years policy," he added.
Despite the decline in childminder numbers, the report highlights that the number of childcare places remains stable due to an increase in the number of places offered at non-domestic settings such as nurseries and pre-schools.
It said the proportion of childcare at these settings judged good or outstanding had increased to 97 per cent at the end of March, a slight increase from 96 per cent in December.
"It is very impressive that 97 per cent of nurseries are now judged to be good or outstanding.
"This is testament to their dedication, hard work and passion for early years education," said Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association.
"We are very proud that the vast majority of nurseries can offer very high-quality provision in spite of all the issues of government underfunding in the face of rising business costs," she added.
