About the project
The project runs from May 2025 to February 2027 and is funded by the Nuffield Foundation (Award Ref: EDO/FR-000025056).
Background
This project examines the benefits and challenges of childminding in England. It explores the:
- evidence-base about the impact of childminding, and
- characteristics that inform high-quality practice.
It offers an in-depth investigation of the childminding workforce through:
- a national survey,
- in-depth interviews, and
- an evidence synthesis of how childminding impacts educational outcomes.
Childminding is under-researched compared with other forms of childcare provision. Understanding what is currently happening with childminders is essential for meeting sufficiency in the sector and understanding the benefits of childminding relative to other early years provision.
Steep declines in childminders nationally are concerning. Numbers of childminders in England are down by 50% from 56,200 in 2013 to 27,900 in 2023 (Ofsted, 2023). Ofsted figures also show that between March 2022 and 2023, registered childminders in England fell by 3,500 (11 per cent).
Our research is the first comprehensive study using a nationally representative survey of childminders in England. The study directly addresses the deepening staffing crisis and sufficiency concerns of the early years sector. Our goal is to address pertinent questions about the availability of childminding services and to support better retention, recruitment, and working conditions for childminders.
Aims
We aim to address the following three key research questions.
- What does the research evidence say about the impact of childminding on children’s development and educational attainment relative to other types of early years provision?
- What are the perceptions of childminders about the benefits and challenges of working as a childminder?
- What are the parental perspectives of using/not using a childminder?
Methodology
Our study involved a multi-stage mixed methods research design using:
- a rapid evidence assessment, and
- a sector-wide nationally representative survey.
The study also includes:
- in-depth interviews with parents to understand parental views and usage of childminding services, and
- interviews with childminders to explore their experiences and views of:
- their profession,
- their perceived benefits for children and families, and
- the challenges they face as early years providers.
The methods include:
- evidence mapping using a Rapid Evidence Assessment (RAE)
- nationally representative survey of childminders across England, and
- qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of 50 childminders and 30 parents.
The project aligns closely with the UK government’s strategy to improve the quality and accessibility of early years care and education, and boost the life chances for every child. Evidence-informed policy briefs, infographics, briefing sessions with policy makers, workshops, and academic papers will be used to disseminate the findings and inform policy and practice.
Team
UCL Institute of Education
- Professor Lynn Ang (Principal investigator)
- Dr Antonia Simon (Lead co-investigator)
- Katie Hollingworth (Co-investigator)
- Dr Kusha Anand (Researcher)
National Centre for Social Research
- Svetlana Speight (Co-investigator)
- Sehaj Bhatti (Researcher)
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about our research.
Image at the top
Gustavo Fring via Pexels.