PDA

View Full Version : PLA criticise plans to pass cms agencies costs to parents (3 July)



Simona
03-07-2013, 04:31 PM
Another press release



Alliance criticises plans to pass childminder agency costs onto parents

3rd July 2013

The Alliance has voiced strong concerns about plans for childminder agency‑related costs to be passed onto parents.

In yesterday’s House of Lords debate on the Children and Families Bill, Baroness Hughes of Stretford stated, “The Childcare Minister said in a meeting last week that the agencies would be responsible for the training and development of their childminders but that there would be no new money. She envisaged that the cost would be passed to parents, but we know that the high cost of childcare is currently very difficult for parents to meet.”

Responding to the news, Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Alliance, the largest representative early years organisation in England, said, “We are appalled that the Government would consider implementing any childcare proposals likely to lead to increased costs for parents. The Childcare Minister has repeatedly cited the need to tackle the high cost of childcare as a key priority, and yet has openly acknowledged that the agency plans may result in higher childcare bills.”

Concerns have also been raised about the fact that under the plans, the majority of agency‑registered childminders will not be individually inspected by Ofsted.

Neil said, ‘Yesterday Lord Nash stated that Ofsted inspections would ‘focus on ensuring that agencies are adept at assessing the quality of childminding and putting in place arrangements to drive up quality’. The suggestion that Ofsted’s focus will be on the quality of the agencies, and not the childminders themselves, will be a cause of great concern for both parents and childcare professionals.

“Parents should feel confident about the quality of the childcare professional caring for their child, and this is unlikely to be the case if Ofsted’s role is restricted to assessing the agency, and not the childminder. The Government seems to be expecting parents to pay more for a potentially lower standard of inspection.”

He continued, “Baroness Jones of Whitchurch yesterday called for the Government to conduct a full consultation before pushing ahead with the agency plans and we echo this call.

“But, as the row over the childcare ratio proposals clearly highlighted, simply launching a consultation is not enough. The Government must ensure that it actually listens to parents and professionals and fully considers their views before implementing any new policies.” (end)



Here is the link if you want to share


https://www.pre-school.org.uk/media/press-releases/387/alliance-criticises-plans-to-pass-childminder-agency-costs-onto-parents

FussyElmo
03-07-2013, 07:24 PM
Thanks Simona :thumbsup:

Stapleton83
03-07-2013, 07:39 PM
Good to see that they are starting to try and raise the awareness of others about the issues surrounding agencies.

Thanks Simona.

Sam x

zippy
03-07-2013, 09:14 PM
I think it's a cracking idea getting the parents to pay for it lol, more of them will be looking for alternative ways then and desperate to save money cue independent childminders no agency fees, higher regulation win win lol, bring agencies on I say will enjoy watching them fall flat at the first hurdle lol

jackie 7
03-07-2013, 09:43 PM
At last someone realises what agencies really mean for parents.

sarah707
04-07-2013, 06:43 AM
Excellent! Someone understands this is going to be a complete nonsense :clapping: