CHILDMINDERS say they are being forced out of their jobs by the so-called “nappy curriculum”.
The Corfe Mullen Childminding Group, representing workers from across Poole, says new regulations and bureaucracy are causing a nightmare.
As the number of registered childminders hits a five-year low, Lib Dem children’s spokesperson Annette Brooke is to urge government education chiefs to rethink the current system and avert a childminding crisis.
The Mid Dorset and North Poole MP says regulations threaten to “alienate registered childminders and make children lose their love of learning before it has even started”.
Childminding group spokesperson Mandy Baber said: “Many experienced childminders are giving up their businesses and soon parents will not have the choice between childminder or day nursery.”
Problems began for registered childminders after implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) regulations in September.
The compulsory curriculum for under-fives affects all state and private nurseries, as well as registered childminders.
Under the framework, children are expected to meet hundreds of targets before primary school.
Ofsted demands youngsters are continually assessed on writing, problem solving and numeracy.
But many childminders, who agree with the framework in principle, are struggling under mountains of paperwork.
Mrs Baber said: “Childminders generally work very long hours and having to record the EYFS information in the evenings and weekends is not fair, particularly for those who have their own children’s needs to meet.”
Paperwork includes risk assessments, registers, accident books, fire drill records, daily diaries and photo journals, assessments and individual development plans.
Annette Brooke believes that if some children are pushed into meeting targets at such an early age, their education will suffer.
She said: “Children are our most important resource but it is important to remember they develop at different rates.”
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