CM Numbers continue to fall

[Arfa]

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.

thebody - I'm with you - I've already told the inspector what I am expecting for my inspection after the number of hours I put in to the job!

The crucial point others have made on here imo is the increasing number of breakfast clubs and wrap around care that schools and nurseries are providing at a cost much les than I can afford on account of their much more generous ratios.......

I'm not advocating an increase in numbers mind you - I can only just manage the ones I have!

But like you guys I am knackered - seriously....

BUT those thinking of going into teaching - unless you can get into your local school don't bother - you'll never get childcare that starts early enough for you to get to school!! I am already qualified teacher and now have children of my own - impossible to manage teaching and motherhood - you think CMing is bad...teaching still alot worse!

totally agree with you nomorarover.
We obviously need to stick up for ourselves as any professional would but I am with you on the teaching, my sister is one and she works ridiculous hours.
I can at least be home based for my kids and, if sometimes I cant put them first, at least I am here with them. lots of up sides to CMing. just hope ther are the parents who want to use us in the future because I do love the job and love being at home.

well now i am on top of everything and have done all the training i must say i am not spending as much time as i was on paperwork. i love this job and if all this legislation and eyfs lets people know we are more professional they go for it. i just dont let it all stress me out anymore and in the evening and a weekends my time is my time.

Woman's Hour discussed the fall in CM numbers yesterday with Liz Bayram of the NCMA and a CM who has recently been inspected. The discussion is the first item on the programme and lasts for about 10 minutes.

I can't help thinking that Liz Bayram is failing to face up to the reality of just why so many CMs are leaving and continues to perpetuate the myth that it is only the worst CMs who are giving up. It may not just be the EYFS, but I think the combination of Ofsted inspections plus the EYFS may just be the last straw for many CMs.

after yesterday's inspection, there's one more to add to the list - me

Well I am joining the statistics too!

Childminding got too much for me to juggle, my books were full when i cut my hours but all I discovered was I couldn't manage FTn cm'ing plus out of hours work, and I can't afford to cm part time. So I am off to work in a lovely nursery instead.

I am so fed up of people not realising / respecting that CMs do the same work as any other child care provider - but not only that they do it all on their own, in their own time.

Now I have made the decision I cant wait! Can completely clear my house, and redecorate (had one mindee smear my walls with paint, another ripped all myposters off the walls ripping the paper). I am looking forward to having my house back and o is the rest of my family.