NCMA’s annual membership survey found that childminders are doing well despite the recession, with reported increases to business turnover.
The report said that the ability to sustain and develop their businesses in the current economic climate could be partly attributed to the flexiblity of childminding. Nine out of ten childminders are willing to care for children during the school holidays.
The number of childminders earning less than £7,000 a year has dropped to 30 per cent, compared with 41 per cent in the 2009 survey. Almost half of those surveyed reported an annual turnover of less than £10,000 a year.
However, twice as many childminders are earning more than £20,000 a year, up to 6 per cent, compared with 3 per cent last year.
Childminders throughout England and Wales have increased their hourly fees since last year, except those in the south- west. There has also been a slight rise in the average hourly rate per child, which has increased from £3.61 an hour to £3.84.
Childminders in Greater London earn the most, on average £5.02 an hour, up from £4.64 last year, followed by childminders in the south-east, who charge £3.95 an hour. The lowest average fees are £3.38 an hour per child in the West Midlands.
However, childminders are also working longer hours, with 55 per cent of those questioned working 40 hours or more a week, compared with 46 per cent in 2009.
The research also shows that the number of childminders offering the free entitlement for three- and four-year-olds has increased slightly to 17 per cent.
The survey also shows that among childminders registered in England, 72 per cent had been rated either outstanding or good in their most recent Ofsted inspection.
Level 3 boosts quality and earnings
Respondents with a level 3 qualification or above were also ‘significantly more likely’ to have been graded outstanding by Ofsted.
The number of childminders with qualifications has increased, with 50 per cent of those surveyed holding a level 3 qualification, compared with 45 per cent in 2009.
There was also a strong link between qualifications and earnings, with childminders qualified to level 3 or above three times more likely to report incomes of £20,000 a year or more.
Forty per cent of childminders have six children on their books at the moment, while 38 per cent are currently caring for three to five children and 19 per cent are caring for one or two children. Overall, around 35 per cent of childminders had unwanted vacancies, a similar figure to 2009.
The majority of childminders had been registered with Ofsted for at least three years (70 per cent), while 14 per cent of new childminders had joined the profession in the past year.
The NCMA questioned 1,001 of its members in England and Wales about a range of issues, including access to training and development, the type of childcare they provide, and hours and fees.
Catherine Farrell and Liz Bayram, joint chief executives of NCMA, said, ‘We are delighted that NCMA members are continuing to improve their practice with a large proportion of those surveyed in England achieving the highest grades possible in their inspections. It is also encouraging to read that nine out of ten childminders expect to remain in business over the next year.’
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