Last week, we reported that Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw was considering changes to the way childminders are inspected and regulated, alongside remarks that angered many childminders.
In comments made to the Education Select Committee, Mr Wilshaw suggested that childminders could be taken out of the Ofsted regulation and inspection process and considered separately from other early years settings, because the cost of registering them was high.
The cost of Ofsted inspection was revealed in response to a parliamentary question posed by Conservative MP Elizabeth Truss.
This showed that in 2010-11, £12.2m was spent on inspecting early years settings and £19.6m was spent on childminding inspections.
Nursery World has calculated the difference in cost between inspecting childminders and group settings by breaking down the cost per place of inspection for nurseries and childminders (see box).
We found the cost per place of inspecting childminders is £69.21, compared with £11.92 for group settings.
Sir Michael (pictured) told MPs at the select committee, 'In childminding, the registration process is pretty expensive. But we need to think about the future and how we inspect childminding institutions. I don't think we can carry on doing it as we have been doing. Every time a youngster goes into a childminding setting ... two children ... that's unsustainable.'
He added that Ofsted was consulting with the education secretary on how to make the inspection system more efficient and more effective, and provide greater value for money.
Such a move would have wide-ranging implications for childminders, as well as for the Government's planned expansion in places for disadvantaged two-year-olds, given that many childminders provide childcare for babies and toddlers.
Sir Michael's remarks also suggested that the quality of childcare provided by childminders was not of sufficient high quality and was more about care than education.
He said, 'My view is that we should look at the future of how we inspect early years, to make sure the very large numbers of children in childminding settings are given a good delivery.'
He added that while he thought children's centres were doing good work in supporting disadvantaged families, 'I think the issue is for childminders it becomes childminding, care and support, rather than subscribing to the EYFS education goals.
'We need to think how we network childminder institutions with high performing children's centres, Sure Start and nurseries.'
The National Childminding Association has demanded an urgent meeting with Sir Michael.
Beth Thomas, a childminder of five years, who is studying for an early years degree, said, 'As a childminder the mere fact they are discussing the option (of deregulation) offends me. A lot of childminders work very hard to attain high standards at all times and fulfil the EYFS in a more than adequate way. However, they could make a distinction between those who make the effort and those who don't by ensuring that network childminders have an EYFS inspection and non-network minders could have a separate type of inspection to save costs.'
Maureen Smith, a grandmother, said, 'This would be a retrograde step. Many parents choose childminders for the family-based care they offer, especially for the very young. It was the inspection regime that gave reassurance to our family when placing our granddaughter with a childminder.'
The story also provoked angry reaction on Nursery World's Facebook page, from many who were experienced childminders with good or outstanding Ofsted inspections, some with EYPS and early years degrees.
One said, 'I just need to say as a (twice awarded) outstanding childminder I feel as if I've been kicked in the teeth.'
Another wrote, 'Call me cynical but "cost-cutting exercise" springs to mind.'
One poster suggested it could be a way of saving money, because she questioned whether parents would still be able to claim tax credits when using childminders.