Child Minding: Qualifications

Mr. Laws
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of registered childminders have a Level 3 qualification; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes
Information taken from the 2006 Childcare and Early Years Providers' Survey shows that 33 per cent. of childminders hold a Level 3 qualification. The Department is committed to ensuring a greater proportion of the early years and childcare workforce is qualified to level 3 and to encouraging continuous professional development at all levels. Over the period 2006-08, we funded workforce development primarily through the General Sure Start Grant and the Transformation Fund. From April 2008 to March 2011, development of the early years and childcare workforce, including registered childminders, will be funded through the new Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Grant.