Creating childminder places

What can you do to create new childminding places?

Set targets for growth, bearing in mind the particular contribution that childminders can make.
Work with the national recruitment campaign team, local childminders, associations and/or the National Childminding Association (NCMA) to promote childminding and support prospective and new childminders.
Consider carefully how the Start Up Grant can best be used in your area to address barriers to childminders becoming registered.
Work closely with Ofsted and the other organisations involved to streamline the registration process, so that childminders have clear information and are supported through a coherent set of stages.
Work closely with children’s centres— their role as a service hub for parents and providers of childcare services should encourage take-up and supply of childminders.
Promote the various forms of support that are available for prospective and new childminders so that everyone understands what is available.

Ofsted data has highlighted that at November 2005, more than 1.2 million new childcare places had been created since 1997, a net increase of more than 580,000 places.

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