Parents Prefer Childminders!
Findings released today show that nine out of 10 parents say
they are satisfied or very satisfied with the care their registered
childminder provided.
The National Childminding Association carried out research of
parental awareness and use of childcare, questioning over 1000
parents, ahead of its annual celebration of home-based childcare,
National Childminding Week.
National Childminding Week 2009 runs from 13 to 20 June and is
themed ‘home from home’. The week celebrates all that is great
about home-based childcare and the flexibility registered
childminders and nannies provide for families. NCMA’s research
ahead of the week provided some interesting findings,
including:
- 95 per cent of parents said they were either very satisfied or
satisfied with the care their childminder provided.
- 70 per cent of parents said they were aware of childminders and
nurseries as childcare providers.
- There was a small but significant increase in 2009 in the
number of parents using registered childminders.
- 57 per cent of parents cited happiness and wellbeing of their
child as the most important factor in quality childcare.
Andrew Fletcher, NCMA Joint Chief Executive said:
“As we celebrate National Childminding Week and the benefits of
home-based childcare for families, this research shows that parents
are more satisfied with the quality of care registered childminders
provide than with any other type of childcare. The high level of
satisfaction was also reflected in the cost, hours of childcare
provided and general satisfaction with childcare arrangements when
using registered childminders.
“During NCMA’s week of awareness raising registered childminders,
nannies and other home childcarers will be going out into their
communities to tell parents about the benefits of using a
childminder or nanny, including play based learning, the large
degree of one to one care, flexibility and most importantly and
home from home environment for their child.”