Ofsted figures show slowing decline
NCMA press office, 02/02/2010
NCMA has today commented on Ofsted’s published data on childcare
providers, for the period from end of September to end of
December 2009.
Andrew Fletcher, NCMA Joint Chief Executive
said:
"NCMA is disappointed that the number
of registered childminders is continuing to decline, albeit at
a slower rate. As we have stated before there are a number
of reasons for this, most notably changes to policy and
regulatory frameworks and the challenging economic
environment.
"NCMA is working to improve opportunities for
professional development and increased access to business support,
as well as raising parental awareness of childminding as a
childcare option, to ensure that childminders can continue
to provide high quality home-based childcare.
"Membership of NCMA has remained
stable and the percentage of registered childminders who are
benefiting from membership of NCMA continues to grow, demonstrating
that dedicated support is needed."