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Original poster

CM Numbers continue to fall

31 replies

Arfa · 13/03/2009 17:17

The latest figures for registered childcare providers have been released by Ofsted today and, not surprisingly, they show yet another drop. This time, though, the drop is the largest ever recorded and, for the 6th successive quarter, CM numbers are at their lowest since Ofsted started releasing figures way back in 2003.

This time, the fall is 1,671 CMs while the previous quarter was only (only!) 700. You should also bear in mind that these numbers include any new CMs, so that the number leaving is actually much bigger than the figures would suggest.

The figures released were for the quarter ending 31st December, 2008, which was the first quarter since the introduction of the EYFS. The figures were also based on the new registers so that they are likely to be the most accurate Ofsted have ever released.

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Original poster
Arfa · 14/03/2009 01:42

The figures released today are only for England because Wales and Scotland aren't regulated by Ofsted.

The total number of CMs in England at the end of December was 61,929. When Ofsted started regulating CMs in 2003, there were 68,200 CMs. Figures rose and continued to rise until June of 2004 when there were then 72,700 CMs. Since then, however, the numbers have slightly risen for 4 quarters, held steady once and fallen for the remaining 12 quarters. The numbers really started to fall in March of 2007, when the EYFS was announced, and have now fallen for 8 successive quarters. Co-incidence? You decide.

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RosieGirl · 13/03/2009 21:35

I think what concerns me, is that nobody cares. I really feel that the government doesn't want home based childcare, they have lost the concept of all the different types of childcare working together to give an overall "wrap around" care. They say they are, but the basics such as allowing us all to draw down on funding, keep us apart from the others (unless you are an acredited minder of course) but we are all made to do the same paperwork, only it is more difficult when we work alone, they seem to forget we don't have a cook, admin assistant, setting manager - everything is up to us. My DH isn't the most supportive and really doesn't understand the amount of work I have to do, which causes lots of arguments, especially when I am working leaving my own children to sort themselves out, even parents are shocked at the amount of paperwork that is required. I was reading First Steps magazine today that pretty much confirms that all childminders will be required to have a minimum level 3 by 2015, and a foundation degree in every setting will be required (will that also mean us?) Does it matter if the childminder hasn't got a qualification? many childminders do this job are brilliant with kids but not good with paper work (my ex childminder who looked after my daughter was a prime example, she had to give up when OFSTED first started as she couldn't cope with the paperwork, so took her skills to the local nursery instead) as long as she/he is satisfactorily inspected by OFSTED and the parents are happy why push? I am studying for my NVQ now - but only for my own benefit so that I can still work with children but get someone else to do all the paperwork, legislation and take on the risk, I can just enjoy the time purely with children then go home at the end of the day and relax, my home will also be my own, so basically I am a statistic waiting to happen! Bloody Hell I suddenly feel really depressed - off to the fridge for a glass of wine - not having a good week this week......

KatyMac · 13/03/2009 20:35

So in 6 months there was a net fall of 2371

What is the total number of childminders in England (& I assume Wales)?

Chatkins · 13/03/2009 19:28

I know of two cms who have given up in the last two weeks. With both they felt they had taken on too much workwise, their lives were taken over by the paperwork and the stress.

I love this job, but it can get stressful. When you are busy, its great financially but a headache doing all the work that comes with it, then when you are not busy it is a constant worry that you can't pay the bills. I have gone from one extreme to the other recently ! Quiet to busy, that is.

I have decided not to take on any more, or I could see myself heading down my friends route, it all getting too much !

Scarfmaker · 13/03/2009 19:20

This isn't surprising to me considering the amount of extra work we now have to do.

FlyMeToDunoon · 13/03/2009 19:11

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