News

Almost 90 per cent of Sure Start children's centres and childminders are working together to give parents greater choice about childcare, according to research published today by the National Childminding Association.

The government wants every Sure Start Children's Centre to be linking with their local childminders as part of the 10-year childcare strategy. The NCMA research found that 80 per cent of children's centres were providing training opportunities for childminders while almost a third of centres were currently working with childminder networks.

Chief executive of the National Childminding Association Liz Bayram said: "Registered childminders are increasingly becoming involved with their local children's centres, either through drop-in groups, training days or as part of the centre's core offer of services."

Children's minister Beverley Hughes welcomed the research and said: "We must build on this so every Sure Start Children's Centre offers a range of support to their local childminders, and encourage childminders to draw on this support and enhance the quality of service they provide."