The study of 200 registered childminders in England and Wales by the National Childminding Association was published to mark National Child- minding Week (18-25 June), part of National Sure Start Month.
The study found that 29 per cent of childminders care for children with impairments, including additional speech, language and communication needs.
But most said they rely on informal sources of information about a child's disability - 82 per cent on the child's parents and 41 per cent on the internet.
Only a third of respondents used their local EYDCP for information, with the NCMA, charities and their GP or health visitor quoted as other sources.
Gill Haynes, NCMA chief executive, said, 'This is a missed opportunity. A workforce of 72,500 committed individuals should be supported in how they access information, training and support to care for children with additional needs.
'NCMA is working with local authorities to integrate childminding into services for disabled children. Too often, profes- sionals working with children in education, social services and health view childminders as little more than regulated babysitters.'
NCMA has teamed up with I CAN, the charity for children with speech and language difficulties, to highlight the role childminders play.