Registered childminders who are already on the scheme or who have registered to complete their accreditation must do this before December. A childminder with Quality First approval will still retain this status for the three-year period of their accreditation.
Ian Marratt, interim director of communications at the NCMA, said, 'Quality First was set up by NCMA to allow registered childminders who had no access to a childminding network to be approved as a high-quality childcare provider.
'However, with the change to the legislative framework, and emergence of more quality improvement networks, NCMA has taken the decision to discontinue it.'
He added, 'NCMA urges those not already on a quality improvement network such as NCMA's Children Come First scheme, to find out if there is one available in their local authority area.'
The DCSF launched a consultation last month on the role of networks in the EYFS. Childminding quality improvement networks seeks views on proposed guidance to help local authorities establish quality improvement networks and support local childminders.
The consultation will close on 24 June.
Further information www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations