Rediscover the ‘Magic of childminding’

Coram PACEY’s ‘Magic of Childminding’ campaign across England and Wales aims to raise awareness amongst parents, stakeholders and supporters of the truly unique benefits childminders bring to children, families and their communities.

In today’s childcare market, childminders and their smaller settings play a significant role, all whilst offering something so many children need: time to focus on each child and provide consistent care.

Whether you are a parent, part of a local authority, work with childminders or even a childminder yourself, find out about the ‘Magic of Childminding’ below.

Parents

Childminders can offer your child a truly unique childcare experience.

From intimate, focused learning in a home-based setting to magical outdoor adventures and trips that open their eyes to the wider world. When you choose a childminder, you are gifting your child something magical that they will remember for life.

What do childminders offer that is so special?

• The flexibility and freedom to be spontaneous like making the most of the outdoors on rainy days.
• Rich outdoor opportunities to explore nature, learn and develop curiosity about the world around them.
• Strong foundations in maths, literacy, physical development and creativity.
• An ability to accommodate and respect different parenting styles.

How to find a magical childminder near you?

Choosing childcare for your child can feel daunting. Whoever cares for your child will have a huge influence on them during the most impressionable years of their life.

But only when you go and visit a setting can you truly get a feel for the quality of the childcare they offer. High quality childminder settings ensure that families and children form strong bonds and that children feel safe and have opportunities to learn and develop through a range of varied activities.

Case studies

Take a look at these childminder case studies that highlight the specific impact of childminders in different areas of child learning and development and family support.

Our Magical Childminders

For this campaign we visited four settings to showcase what childminding can look like for different children. Each setting was different from the other, but they all had at least one thing in common – they all love and support the children they care for.

Local authorities and supporting stakeholders

Local authority teams and those who support children and families at a local level and on a daily basis, can help spread the word about the ‘Magic of Childminding’, increase demand and inspire the next generation of childminders.

How to get involved:

1) Use the ‘Magic of Childminding’ printed campaign pack that is being sent to all local authority teams to distribute postcards to parents, put up posters in community spaces and share useful resources with supporting stakeholders.

2) Download our digital marketing materials below to use on socials, websites and newsletters to help spread the word on and raise the profile of the campaign amongst parents – showing your support for childminders.

3) Think about the amazing childminders in your area and any that you know who have had a significant impact on the lives of children and families. We want to hear from you and use your examples in our ‘Magic of Childminding’ report (see here).

Campaign materials

Local authorities: Printed leaflets, postcards and posters will be sent to each local authority in England early April. Below are digital assets that you can use across socials, on websites and in digital communications.

If you would like co-branded printed materials, Coram PACEY can design this free of charge and provide quotes for printing. If you would like co-branded digital materials, Coram PACEY can do this free of charge. Please contact support@corampacey.org.uk with your request.

For England

Social media images

For Wales

Social media images

Childminders

This campaign is inspired by the incredible childminders that not only provide quality childcare and education to children all year round, but go above and beyond to offer tailored care and magical experiences.

Childminders, we need your support to help spread the word, reach more families to shout about the incredible work that you do and show parents that they have a choice to choose the childcare that is right for their children and their family’s needs.

By showcasing the magic of your childminding setting you are also inspiring the next generation of childminders!

How to get involved:

1) Download the digital social images below and share on your social pages using the hashtag #magicofchildminding

2) Reach out to your local authority, ask if they have seen the campaign and what they are doing to support it and the childminders in your area.

3) Reflect on your own amazing practice and your impact on the children you care for. We want to hear from you and use your examples in our ‘Magic of Childminding’ report (see here).

Download social media images (Wales)

‘Magic of Childminding’ report

This campaign is the start of our work to produce a large scale report that will be launched during Childminding Week 2026 (11th-17th May).

This transformative report for the childminding profession, and hopefully the largest of its kind, will explore the positive impact of childminders on children, families, local authorities and the wider sector. It will also outline how we can all support childminders to deliver on a larger scale with greater impact.

To do this, we need your help. We need case studies to show how childminders have had a significant positive impact in many different areas including, but not limited to:

• Family support
• Low income households
• Single parent households
• Flexible care

Childminders, parents, local authorities and anyone working with childminders – please complete this form to give details of a case study and we will contact you.

Feeling inspired? Become a childminder yourself

Childminders are professional, compassionate and tenacious. They do what they do because they are passionate about children’s education and want to give them the best start in life. They are brave enough to run their own business, build their own curriculum and tackle any challenges.

If this campaign has inspired you to think about childminding as a career, Coram PACEY has lots of helpful information to help you make that decision and take the next steps into a truly magical profession.