MS, Minister for Children and
Social Care: In May last year, I updated members about the work
we are undertaking, in collaboration with Care Inspectorate Wales
(CIW), Coram PACEY Cymru and local authorities to respond to the
recommendations made in the Independent Review of
Childminding. I am pleased to now provide you with a further
progress update highlighting some of the key achievements over
the last year.
We are focused on promoting childminding as a career, encouraging
and supporting childminders to enter and stay in the workforce,
and making the process of becoming and working as a childminder
as clear and straightforward as possible.
Childminding has featured prominently in the Welsh Government
funded Pathways to Childcare programme run by Social Care Wales,
including support to offer work trial opportunities. This
means that those with an interest in childminding will be able to
see at first hand if it is the career for them, with access to an
experienced childminder who will be able to offer support and
guidance.
I am also delighted to inform members that a childminder in the
Vale of Glamorgan won the prestigious WeCare award at Social Care
Wales Accolades for 2025 which is helping to celebrate and raise
the profile of childminders.
Welsh Government has worked with partners to develop a one stop
‘Becoming a Childminder' resource. This will be a central
point for would-be childminders to access information on the
advice, support and funding available to support entry into the
workforce.
We are also supporting new and existing childminders, including
via the Welsh Government funded Training and Support
Programme. As part of this, local authorities provide the
opportunity for individuals to undertake the required
pre-registration training as well as support existing
childminders to access both mandatory and best practice
training. Both face to face and online training is offered
to suit the needs of childminders.
We continue to work with local authorities, following the changes
made to local authority Flying Start guidance to make clear that
childminders can offer Flying Start provision. Data from the
Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS) returns completed by
childcare and play providers registered with CIW shows that the
number of childminders delivering Flying Start in Wales is
already showing a steady increase - from 56 in 2023 to 107 in
2024.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), following an internal review, made
changes to the childminding online application process for
registration to make it easier for applicants to complete and to
ensure a smooth process.
In addition, in recognition of the unique position of childminder
provision, CIW have established a childminding champions group to
support inspectors in their approach to childminder inspections.
Working in close partnership means that we are able to respond to
potential issues facing childminders as they arise. For example,
as part of the Blueprint Collections Update
published on 20 June 2025, we are encouraging all parts of
national and local government to work together to remove any
barriers or concerns for childminders so that we can sustain and
grow this vital part of the sector
We know the important contributions childminders make to the
lives of children and their families. Activity since publication
of the Independent Review has helped to better showcase their
role and emphasise the importance Welsh Government places on the
provision provided by them.
This work will continue so that we keep a clear focus on the
issues affecting those who wish to enter the sector, as well as
the retention of existing childminders, and I would like to
take this opportunity to again thank all partners working with us
to deliver these actions to support childminders in Wales.
I will continue to monitor this work closely and will keep
Members informed about progress.
