You may have heard that there is a big debate happening at the moment about childminding regulation in the future. NCMA are very involved in this debate with the government and Ofsted and are keen that childminders take part in the debate too and make their views known. Ofsted and government are discussing proposals to change the regulation of childminders and NCMA feel this would be a very retrograde step taking away the level playing field for all settings that has been fought for for over 25 years. It would also mean that parents who use childminders would not be eligible for funding to help towards childcare costs. It would mean that anyone could become a childminder without the need for proper checks or training.