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DSCF response to childcare swaps
13 October 2009
In a press release issued on 12 October, DCSF have outlined their position on childcare swaps between parents, proposing that reciprocal childcare arrangements (childcare swaps) should not be subject to Ofsted regulation.
This is in response to a story, widely reported in the press at the end of September, about two mothers who were ‘swapping' childcare while each other worked. This raised a question about whether parents swapping childcare are receiving ‘reward' (ie free childcare in return), and should therefore be registered as childminders.
In a letter to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector Christine Gilbert, Children's Sectretary Ed Balls states that "When parents make their own reciprocal childcare arrangements with friends they retain full control and responsibility for the care their children receive, and I am clear that this should not be a matter for regulation."
Daycare Trust's Senior Policy Officer, Kate Goddard said "We welcome this decision allowing 'childcare swaps' to take place, so parents are able to come to reciprocal childcare arrangements with friends. This is a victory for common sense."
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