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NCMA launches a manifesto for home-based childcare

20 Mar 2010

The four key points of the NCMA's manifesto are as follows:

Accessibility
Ensure that every family in every community has access to a high-quality, home-based childcare setting by addressing the decline in childminder numbers through investment, support and the promotion of childminding.
Quality
Support the continued professional development of registered childminders and nannies, by investing in training, qualifications and childminding networks, so all children can benefit from the high-quality play and learning on offer in home-based settings.
Affordability
Help parents with the cost of childcare and give every family the option to choose childminders to deliver government-funded childcare places. Ensure that parents who need extra help during school holidays, or families with disabled children or children who have additional requirements are able to choose personalised, responsive and flexible home-based childcare.
Recognition
Recognise the contribution that childminders and nannies make in helping reduce child poverty by supporting families back into training or work. Ensure home-based settings have equal access to government support and funding, nationally and locally, to enable all parents to have genuine childcare choice.

Susanna Dawson, registered childminder and NCMA Chair described how: "Home-based childcare enables children to thrive and their individual needs to be met. Every day, over 60,000 registered childminders in England and Wales and 30,000 nannies provide nearly 350,000 childcare places to children of working and student parents, including disabled children, children with additional requirements, babies and pre- and school-age children."

The NCMA is asking people to pledge their support for this manifesto and is also offering local MPs the opportunity to visit a home-based setting in their constituency. For more information visit the NCMA website.

Tags: Talk To Your Baby