Research into the pilot of childminder agencies has been published by the Department for Education.

childminding-websites4938-460x306The independent childminder agency evaluation of the trials was commissioned by the DfE and carried out by Ipsos MORO and Ecorys.

The report sets out the findings of the childminder agency trials, and aims to help organisations who wish to set up a childminder agency.

The research was carried out with the 20 pilot agencies that were chosen to take part in the trial last summer.

The report notes that those that took part in the trials ‘reported resistance from existing childminders regarding childminder agencies.’

In response, a number of pilots held focus groups with childminders to dispel myths about agencies and help the pilots understand what childminders would find useful. Read full article…