In a recent article, Nursery World has said
that PACEY "will now start to advise the Government on the agency
model". This is incorrect and a misrepresentation of PACEY.
PACEY’s position on childminder agencies is
clear.
- PACEY believes that agencies will have a negative impact on the
perceived quality and professional standing of childminding to
decision makers, childminders, parents etc.
- PACEY believes that agencies pose a risk of increased costs (in
agency fees) to parents and childminders.
- PACEY believes that the available evidence shows agencies do
not drive up quality of care for children.
- PACEY is clear that childminders do not have to join an agency
– it must never be compulsory.
Up until now, PACEY has not provided
government or regulators with any advice on the development of
childminder agencies nor the regulation that will set the minimum
standards they will be required to meet by Ofsted.
Going forward, this will remain the case for
the development of agencies e.g. PACEY will not advise government
or organisations running pilots how to ensure a successful business
model, one which is viable, attractive to childminders and parents
alike, and navigates the myriad tax, insurance and other liability
issues that come with agencies delivering services to families via
self-employed individuals.
PACEY remains concerned about agencies
and does not want to help them to succeed.
However, PACEY exists to ensure high standards
of care and learning to all children in childcare, and has
recognised that there will be increasing numbers of children cared
for by agency childminders as they become law in September 2014. So
we have decided that we now need to start to advise government and
regulators on how to develop a robust registration and inspection
framework that ensures minimum standards for childminder agencies;
keep children safe and still enable childminders to deliver quality
childcare to children and families.
Nursery World has removed the incorrect statement
from their online edition and will print a retraction in the next
print issue.
More information about PACEY’s stance on childcare agencies is
available at www.pacey.org.uk/agencies