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21/05/2012
Report Call For Childcare Overhaul
A new report has said that childcare in the UK needs to be overhauled to make it more affordable.
According to the report by MP Elizabeth Truss, for the CentreForum think tank, the average family spends more than a quarter (27%) of income on childcare.
The Conservative MP argued that regulation should be simplified and childminders allowed to care for more children at a time, to attract higher-paid staff.
But critics have said that this could put the quality of childcare at risk.
The MP said that recent studies had shown widespread problems with quality, price and availability.
Ms Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, said the number of nursery places had increased since 1996 but that childminder places had dropped drastically in the same period to 245,000 in 2010.
The report calls for childminders to be allowed to take on more children at one time.
Under current rules there has to be one minder for every three children aged five or younger, but the report says this ratio should be changed to one adult for every five children aged five or under.
It also called for a single funding system and for childminders to be able to register with a local agency, nursery or network which would take responsibility for inspection and training and be regulated by Ofsted.
"The coalition government has a great opportunity to simplify the provision of childcare and get better value for money for parents," Ms Truss said.
"Reform could lead to an increase in availability of flexible childcare and an end to spiralling costs."
(H)
According to the report by MP Elizabeth Truss, for the CentreForum think tank, the average family spends more than a quarter (27%) of income on childcare.
The Conservative MP argued that regulation should be simplified and childminders allowed to care for more children at a time, to attract higher-paid staff.
But critics have said that this could put the quality of childcare at risk.
The MP said that recent studies had shown widespread problems with quality, price and availability.
Ms Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, said the number of nursery places had increased since 1996 but that childminder places had dropped drastically in the same period to 245,000 in 2010.
The report calls for childminders to be allowed to take on more children at one time.
Under current rules there has to be one minder for every three children aged five or younger, but the report says this ratio should be changed to one adult for every five children aged five or under.
It also called for a single funding system and for childminders to be able to register with a local agency, nursery or network which would take responsibility for inspection and training and be regulated by Ofsted.
"The coalition government has a great opportunity to simplify the provision of childcare and get better value for money for parents," Ms Truss said.
"Reform could lead to an increase in availability of flexible childcare and an end to spiralling costs."
(H)
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29 January 2013
Proposal Will Allow Childminders To Accept More Children
New proposals will allow nurseries and childminders in England to look after more children, providing carers qualifications meet new standards. The proposals, due to come into effect in the autumn, would make more childcare places available and reduce costs for parents in the "long term", children's minister Liz Truss has said.
Proposal Will Allow Childminders To Accept More Children
New proposals will allow nurseries and childminders in England to look after more children, providing carers qualifications meet new standards. The proposals, due to come into effect in the autumn, would make more childcare places available and reduce costs for parents in the "long term", children's minister Liz Truss has said.
17 November 2008
Police 'Wanted Baby P Placed In Care'
Police wanted Baby P placed in care, but social services persuaded them to have the child returned to his mother, it has been alleged.
Police 'Wanted Baby P Placed In Care'
Police wanted Baby P placed in care, but social services persuaded them to have the child returned to his mother, it has been alleged.
13 January 2004
Childminder inspection reports to be published online
Parents will be able to read childminder inspection reports on the web next year, the education watchdog Ofsted announced today. The reports will come online from April 2005 – the start of Ofsted's next childcare inspection programme. Reports are currently only available by contacting childminders directly.
Childminder inspection reports to be published online
Parents will be able to read childminder inspection reports on the web next year, the education watchdog Ofsted announced today. The reports will come online from April 2005 – the start of Ofsted's next childcare inspection programme. Reports are currently only available by contacting childminders directly.
06 May 2003
No smacking rules outlined for childminders
Childminders in England will not be able to smack or smoke in front of children from this September. Changes to national standards will also mean that childminders can look after more than one child under the age of one if they have the right training and experience.
No smacking rules outlined for childminders
Childminders in England will not be able to smack or smoke in front of children from this September. Changes to national standards will also mean that childminders can look after more than one child under the age of one if they have the right training and experience.
13 January 2014
Average Cost Of Childcare Increases By 19%
The key statistic highlighted in the Annual Childcare Report is that the average cost of childcare throughout the UK has risen by 19 percent, according to Findababysitter.com. This is stopping 25 percent of the UK's unemployed parents going to work.
Average Cost Of Childcare Increases By 19%
The key statistic highlighted in the Annual Childcare Report is that the average cost of childcare throughout the UK has risen by 19 percent, according to Findababysitter.com. This is stopping 25 percent of the UK's unemployed parents going to work.
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