Reciprocal childcare ruling
Parental choice is welcome, but not at the expense of
quality
Following the Secretary of State's
announcement that reciprocal childcare arrangements between
friends are exempt from childcare regulation, providing no
money exchanges hands, Catherine Farrell, Joint Chief
Executive of NCMA has commented on the ruling.
"Whilst we are reassured that the Secretary of
State has recognised the importance of retaining parental choice in
relation to childcare, we feel that this shouldn’t be at the
expense of quality and safeguarding of children.
"Proportionate regulation of childcare practice is not only an
important part of safeguarding children, for registered
childminders it also plays a role in demonstrating to parents that
the setting provides good learning and development opportunities
for children.
"For these reasons, it is important that wider
registration and regulation requirements are not undermined."