Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care
In May last year, I updated members about the work we are undertaking, in collaboration with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), Coram PACEY Cymru and local authorities to respond to the recommendations made in the Independent Review of Childminding. I am pleased to now provide you with a further progress update highlighting some of the key achievements over the last year.
We are focused on promoting childminding as a career, encouraging and supporting childminders to enter and stay in the workforce, and making the process of becoming and working as a childminder as clear and straightforward as possible.
Childminding has featured prominently in the Welsh Government funded Pathways to Childcare programme run by Social Care Wales, including support to offer work trial opportunities. This means that those with an interest in childminding will be able to see at first hand if it is the career for them, with access to an experienced childminder who will be able to offer support and guidance.
I am also delighted to inform members that a childminder in the Vale of Glamorgan won the prestigious WeCare award at Social Care Wales Accolades for 2025 which is helping to celebrate and raise the profile of childminders.
Welsh Government has worked with partners to develop a one stop ‘Becoming a Childminder’ resource. This will be a central point for would-be childminders to access information on the advice, support and funding available to support entry into the workforce.
We are also supporting new and existing childminders, including via the Welsh Government funded Training and Support Programme. As part of this, local authorities provide the opportunity for individuals to undertake the required pre-registration training as well as support existing childminders to access both mandatory and best practice training. Both face to face and online training is offered to suit the needs of childminders.
We continue to work with local authorities, following the changes made to local authority Flying Start guidance to make clear that childminders can offer Flying Start provision. Data from the Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS) returns completed by childcare and play providers registered with CIW shows that the number of childminders delivering Flying Start in Wales is already showing a steady increase - from 56 in 2023 to 107 in 2024.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), following an internal review, made changes to the childminding online application process for registration to make it easier for applicants to complete and to ensure a smooth process.
In addition, in recognition of the unique position of childminder provision, CIW have established a childminding champions group to support inspectors in their approach to childminder inspections.
Working in close partnership means that we are able to respond to potential issues facing childminders as they arise. For example, as part of the Blueprint Collections Update published on 20 June 2025, we are encouraging all parts of national and local government to work together to remove any barriers or concerns for childminders so that we can sustain and grow this vital part of the sector
We know the important contributions childminders make to the lives of children and their families. Activity since publication of the Independent Review has helped to better showcase their role and emphasise the importance Welsh Government places on the provision provided by them.
This work will continue so that we keep a clear focus on the issues affecting those who wish to enter the sector, as well as the retention of existing childminders, and I would like to take this opportunity to again thank all partners working with us to deliver these actions to support childminders in Wales.
I will continue to monitor this work closely and will keep Members informed about progress.