A Netmums and the National Childminding Association survey reveals that 97 per cent of parents want to keep current regulations in place rather than see the profession deregulated.
This follows new Government proposals to take childminders out of the Ofsted inspection and regulation system.
The survey, which is part of the NCMA’s Individual Inspection Matters campaign, found that parents believe quality of care is crucial when deciding who should care for their child.
The study also revealed that almost three-quarters of parents (72 per cent) chose a childminder rather than a nursery for the 'home' environment, while two-thirds (62 per cent) said childminders provided a personalised approach to their child.
NCMA joint chief executive, Liz Bayram, said, ‘With so much debate around how childminding regulation could be made less burdensome, we wanted to better understand why parents choose childminding and the role regulation and inspection plays in reassuring them.’
The survey received responses from more than 700 parents who currently or have used a registered childminder. It found that parents used a childminder were because they provided a home environment (72 per cent), a personalised approach to their child (62 per cent) and the service was flexible (46 per cent).
Over half of the respondents (55 per cent) found their childminder 'quite easily' or 'found someone in the end' (32 per cent). Only 13 per cent reported finding it difficult.
The survey also found that the majority of respondents said it was very important (80 per cent) or quite important (14 per cent) that childminders are individually registered and inspected.
Parents said they valued individual inspection because it shows childminders are professionals (84 per cent) and reassures them that their child is safe (75 per cent).
If childminders were no longer individually registered and inspected by Ofsted, 77 per cent of respondents said they would be less likely to look for a childminder.
Ms Bayram said, ‘Parents must have confidence that childminders are providing safe, high quality learning and childcare, and Ofsted regulation and inspection of them as individuals does just that. If it is removed, there is a real risk of less not more affordable childcare.’
Sally Russell, Netmums' founder and spokesperson on family policy, said, ‘These results show that childminders are already providing flexible childcare and that parents are reassured by their regulation. Parents appreciate the home environment and the personalised care that they get from childminders.’
The survey, which is part of the NCMA’s Individual Inspection Matters campaign, found that parents believe quality of care is crucial when deciding who should care for their child.
The study also revealed that almost three-quarters of parents (72 per cent) chose a childminder rather than a nursery for the 'home' environment, while two-thirds (62 per cent) said childminders provided a personalised approach to their child.
NCMA joint chief executive, Liz Bayram, said, ‘With so much debate around how childminding regulation could be made less burdensome, we wanted to better understand why parents choose childminding and the role regulation and inspection plays in reassuring them.’
The survey received responses from more than 700 parents who currently or have used a registered childminder. It found that parents used a childminder were because they provided a home environment (72 per cent), a personalised approach to their child (62 per cent) and the service was flexible (46 per cent).
Over half of the respondents (55 per cent) found their childminder 'quite easily' or 'found someone in the end' (32 per cent). Only 13 per cent reported finding it difficult.
The survey also found that the majority of respondents said it was very important (80 per cent) or quite important (14 per cent) that childminders are individually registered and inspected.
Parents said they valued individual inspection because it shows childminders are professionals (84 per cent) and reassures them that their child is safe (75 per cent).
If childminders were no longer individually registered and inspected by Ofsted, 77 per cent of respondents said they would be less likely to look for a childminder.
Ms Bayram said, ‘Parents must have confidence that childminders are providing safe, high quality learning and childcare, and Ofsted regulation and inspection of them as individuals does just that. If it is removed, there is a real risk of less not more affordable childcare.’
Sally Russell, Netmums' founder and spokesperson on family policy, said, ‘These results show that childminders are already providing flexible childcare and that parents are reassured by their regulation. Parents appreciate the home environment and the personalised care that they get from childminders.’