Reciprocal childcare consultation closing soon
NCMA Policy Team (25/01/10)
The Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF) consultation on
a proposal to exempt from Ofsted registration childcare between
friends that is not for monetary payment is closing soon. The consultation is
open to anyone and we would encourage NCMA members and parents to
respond to ensure the views of the childminding sector are well
represented.
The deadline for responses is 31st January 2010. Visit the
consultation webpage and
don't miss this chance to
have your views heard.
This consultation comes as a result of the high profile media
coverage in 2009 about the childcare arrangements between two
friends. The
proposal would allow parents to make reciprocal
childcare arrangements with friends and also to provide childcare
for friends in return for any other goods or services, without the
provider of the childcare having to register with Ofsted as a
childminder, provided that no money changed hands.
NCMA is concerned about the proposal and the potential
impact and will be issuing a robust response to this
consultation.
It is our view that proportionate regulation of childcare practice
is not only an important part of safeguarding children, but
for registered childminders it plays a significant role in
demonstrating to parents that the setting and practice is of good
quality. It is crucial that wider registration and regulation is
not undermined and the professionalism of childminding is
maintained.
There is a risk this proposal will undermine childminders' efforts
to sustain their businesses and disadvantage parents who would not
be able to access support for meeting childcare costs.
The consultation is open to anyone and we would encourage NCMA
members and parents to respond to ensure the views of the
childminding sector are well represented. The deadline for
responses is 31st January. The link to the consultation is
below.
Don't miss this chance to have your views heard. Visit the
consultation webpage (external website).
If you decide to contribute to the consultation we would be
interested in receiving a copy of your submission. Please contact
Tim Farrow in the External Relations team at NCMA by emailing
tim.farrow@ncma.org.uk or
calling 020 8290 2429