DfE Consultation Aimed at Recruiting and Retaining Childminders

Childminder playing with two toddlers at table indoors, with colourful toys

DfE Consultation Aimed at Recruiting and Retaining Childminders

On 15th March, the Department for Education (DfE) launched a new consultation to gather thoughts on proposed changes aiming to increase the recruitment of new childminders and retain current childminders. The consultation seeks the views of childminders, parents, providers and local authorities for their thoughts on how Government can further support more childminders to join and stay in the profession.

The new consultation stems from widespread criticism from those working within the early years sector, particularly towards issues around childminder staffing. Some other criticisms include many childminders being paid termly and over complicated processes to train and carry out administrative tasks. The consultation follows the ‘Do Something Big’ campaign launched in February, which includes a £1,000 sign on bonus for new or returning early years professionals.

It is evident that more needs to be done to sustainably improve the childminder staffing situation, particularly with the expansion of free childcare beginning in April. Some of the proposed changes include:

• Enabling regulated healthcare professionals to complete GP health declarations for new childminders.

• Giving childminder agencies new flexibilities - including reducing quality assurance visits of individual childminders to once every two years.

• Ensuring childminders are paid funding monthly if they request it.

Any consultation that gives the opportunity for childminders’ voices to be heard, and potential changes that make it easier to train and retain childminders, are welcomed by the sector. However, there are fears that the proposals to reduce the assurances provided by childminder agencies are unwise and that the consultation fails to address issues such as allowing childminders to claim funding for related children.

The Childminder Recruitment and Retention Consultation runs until 10th May 2024. To take part in the consultation visit the DfE website or click here.