Our policy work
Coram PACEY represents its members to policy makers at all levels of government, working to ensure that members’ needs and views are taken into account and ensure children get the best start in life.
From campaigning on ratios and regulations, to responding to government consultations, Coram PACEY works with national and local government in England and Wales to help shape and influence early years policy.
We’re also commissioned by local and national government to provide services to early years professionals, including training for childminders and promoting childcare as a profession. And we offer a specific package of support to local childcare providers through local authorities.
A Manifesto for Childminders (Wales)
Coram PACEY Cymru call for urgent government action to address the drastically continuing decline in childminder numbers in Wales outlining a series of policy recommendations to support the sector.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) figures show that between March 2018 and September 2025 the number of registered childminders in Wales decreased year on year, with around 807 fewer settings in September 2025 compared to March 2018 (a 37% decrease).
A Manifesto for Childminders (England)
To mark Childminding Week 2024, Coram PACEY unveiled its new Manifesto for Childminders calling for urgent government action to address plummeting childminder numbers ensuring children have the very best start in life.
Childminders are highly skilled and passionate childcare professionals who are sadly facing multiple barriers including rising costs, inadequate funding levels, and a continued lack of recognition within the education sector. Over the years tweaks to policies and the early years system have failed to address the rapid decline.
Please support our manifesto by reading, sharing and continuing to support our work to recruit and retain childminders.
Coram PACEY in England
Coram PACEY works closely with central government in England to help shape early years policy, offering advice and advocacy on behalf of our members. As well as the Department for Education, we also meet regularly with elected Ministers and representatives of other departments such as Ofsted and HMRC.
We regularly share member feedback and issues and call for:
- A national childminder strategy to reverse the decline in registered childminders, ensuring they are central to the early years sector, with strong pre- and post-registration support, high-quality qualifications, and CPD opportunities.
- Equitable access to childcare by tackling barriers that prevent disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs or disabilities from accessing high-quality early education.
- Reforming Ofsted inspection and regulation to improve providers’ experiences and ensure inspections take into account the unique nature of childminder settings.
- A fair and sustainable funding system, particularly addressing inadequate rates for three- and four-year-olds for registered childminders.
- Recognition of home-based childcare providers within wider government initiatives such as school-based provision, breakfast clubs, and wraparound care.
- The vital role of play in supporting children’s development and wellbeing.
Coram PACEY is a leading member of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition. The coalition is made up of over 30 organisations across various stakeholder groups including gender, parents, small business, trade unions and children’s charities, and we provide essential intelligence on the delivery of early years services on the ground.
Coram PACEY in Wales
Coram PACEY Cymru works closely with the Welsh Government and others to influence children's futures and represent childcare professionals' views. Our dedicated service in Wales shapes national, regional and local early years policy.
To do this, Coram PACEY Cymru works with members, other childminders and partners across Wales, including local authorities, the Welsh Government and their statutory agencies.
Coram PACEY Cymru:
- is a source of information and expertise to the Welsh Government and its statutory agencies, including the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales
- represents the childcare and early years sector on a national level
- helps the Welsh Government to achieve their outcomes and aims for children and young people, early years and childcare settings, and the childcare and early years workforce
- supports Social Care Wales and Qualifications Wales in their work ensuring that the childcare and early years workforce in Wales is a high standard, and are confident and competent
- works in partnership with four leading childcare organisations in Wales as 'Cwlwm' to support the aim that families across Wales can access affordable, quality childcare.
For more information about Coram PACEY Cymru and our services in Wales, please email paceycymru@pacey.org.uk.
How can I get involved or voice my concerns?
Have you got a concern related to government policy?
Contact Coram PACEY’s policy team. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
- Keep up to date with the latest early years policy news with our policy updates
- Respond to a public consultation, either UK wide, or England or Wales only
- Contact your MP, AM or local councillor by letter, telephone or email. Find out who they are here.
- Contact Coram PACEY’s policy team in England or Wales
Latest News
Keep up to date with everything that's happening in the childcare sector
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