LOCAL CHILDCARE IN CRISIS AFTER BIG DROP IN NUMBER OF GREATER MANCHESTER CHILDMINDERS

11.19.00am GMT Mon 9th Nov 2009

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell today warned of a growing crisis in child care after new figures showed that the number of registered childminders has been steadily dropping each year since Labour came to power.

New figures, obtained by Mr Stunell through Parliamentary Questions show that a third of childminders in Greater Manchester have left their jobs since 1997, with only 3,300 now registered across the region, compared with 4,600 a decade ago.

Mr Stunell's own area of Stockport has seen an even sharper decline - from 800 in 1997 to just 500 now.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"The government's bureaucratic approach to pre-school care is causing childminders to turn away from the profession, and has left many hard-pressed parents with a real struggle to find good, affordable childcare.

"Childcare costs have spiraled over recent years and there is a risk that the drop in the number of childminders is going to drive up costs even further. We already have the farcical situation where some parents find they are better off giving up work rather than forking out for expensive childcare.

"Ministers must rethink the current system, and they can start by providing more support for families, including expanding free pre-school childcare to 20 hours a week for all children over 18 months.

"Children need to be cared for in a suitable environment, but we must strike the right balance and ensure that we don't put unreasonable demands on childminders."

ENDS