Major report showcases the transformative benefits of childminding for children and families, amid fears over declining workforce numbers

In a major new report published today (12 May 2026) for Childminding Week 2026, Coram PACEY warns that, without urgent Government intervention to reverse the decline in childminders, families could miss out entirely on this vital form of childcare support within the next decade.

Despite their significant contributions, the number of registered childminders across England and Wales has fallen steadily in recent years with just 24,990 remaining in England(1) and 1,043 in Wales (2). This comes as families struggle to find available and affordable childcare and more children have additional needs, for which homebased care by childminders is particularly valuable.

The report sets out clear recommendations for Government action to reverse the childminder decline in England and Wales to protect childminding for generations to come, including:

Boosting recruitment and retention through funded, national programmes to support new childminders into the profession and retain those already working in it.
Reviewing HMRC rules under Making Tax Digital to prevent financial disadvantage to childminders, particularly the loss of the 10% wear and tear allowance.
Reforming childminder funding in England, including removing the rule that prevents childminders from claiming funding for related children.

Today’s report, the Magic of Childminding, brings together the real-life experiences, impact and voices of childminders, parents, children and sector experts to demonstrate the magic of childminding in action across England and Wales and its transformational impact on children, families and communities.

More than childcare: supporting families

Childminders offer a highly flexible and adaptable provision that suits a range of families and children’s needs, offering value for money and adapting to suit parents working patterns and situations. Survey findings show:

80% offer flexible start and finish times
70% provide short-notice cover for unexpected changes
42% offer emergency or ad-hoc care
24% offer shift-based care
72% provide care before 8am and 15% after 6pm

Parents consistently described childminders as going “beyond childcare” and often acting as an extension of the family and providing emotional and practical support during challenging times.

“We have supported a child through the loss of a grandparent… As this family also had a newborn, we took a ‘whole family’ approach, offering newborn care alongside the older sibling so that the parents could visit the hospital and taking the baby instead of the older child so that she could have time alone with her parents” Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland, England

What makes childminding unique?

The report highlights several distinctive features of childminding settings that sets them apart from other forms of childcare and explores the broad benefits they have on children:

Mixed-age care supports peer-learning and continuity of care, with 76% caring for siblings and 90% of those with school aged children having cared for them in their early years too.
A nurturing, home-based environment supports babies’ transitions and routines with 87% of childminders closely following babies’ home routines
Outdoor learning and community experiences are central, with 95% spending time outdoors daily or most days and 75% taking trips in the community daily or most days.

Supporting children with SEND and ALN

Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) highlight the support their childminder offers their family.

29% of childminders care for children with diagnosed SEND/ALN
A further 33% care for children who are awaiting assessment.

With SEND reforms underway in England, the report highlights the need for childminders to be formally recognised by the Government as a vital part of the national SEND system. It urges improved access to SEND-specific funding and training to help childminders further expand their expertise, and support more families of children with SEND.

“Our son had a beautiful and adapted, slow transition into the setting. Whilst my son is non-verbal, his bright smile when he greets [childminder] at the door to start the day, is a clear indicator of how he feels there.” Parent of a child with ALN

Other recommendations

The report makes several other recommendations for Governments in England and Wales to strengthen and grow the childminder workforce:

Increase awareness of childminding through a national campaign, building on initiatives such as Coram PACEY’s Magic of Childminding.
Remove barriers to starting and running childminding businesses, including those related to local planning, rental restrictions, and commercial waste and environmental health regulations.
Reinstate mandatory training requirements for childminders in England to improve perceptions of quality and standards.
Enable childminders in Wales to deliver all funded childcare and early education programmes, including Flying Start and Nursery Education.

Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges, Head of Coram PACEY comments:

“This report highlights the vital role childminders play in supporting children, families, and local communities across England and Wales. Families who are lucky enough to use a childminder know first-hand the difference they make. However, urgent action is now needed to recognise and invest in childminders so that more families can benefit from this essential provision.

“Our findings show the transformational impact childminders can have, particularly for children with SEND/ALN, single-parent families, and families experiencing disadvantage. The recommendations set out in this report provide a clear roadmap for strengthening and sustaining the sector.

“Without swift action from governments in England and Wales, there is a real risk that this valuable provision could be lost. Through our wider Magic of Childminding campaign and Childminding Week 2026, we are calling on policymakers to recognise the contribution of childminders and to provide the support and investment needed to secure the future of this vital part of the early years system.”

Dame Carol Homden, CEO at Coram comments:

“I know from personal experience how important the familiarity and nurture of home-based childcare can be for a child with additional needs. For those who are adopted and have experienced loss so early in their lives, the nurture and continuity of relationship from a skilled childminder not only enriches the network of support to enable them to find their feet but to make it possible for them to spread their wings and learn to fly.”

The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education in England comments:

“Childminders are at the heart of our early years system, providing high quality, flexible care where children can thrive from their earliest days. Their support is invaluable, especially for children with SEND and those from disadvantaged background.”

Read the full report

Notes to editors

(1) Ofsted (2025) Childcare providers and inspections as at 31 August 2025.

(2) Care Inspectorate Wales (2025) Childcare and play data tool (September 2025). Data source: CIW Data Management System.

The Magic of Childminding 2026 report insights are based on a survey of 913 childminders in England and Wales (April 2026) childminder and parent interviews, setting visits and focus groups. Throughout the report, quotes and case examples from childminders, parents, and children are used to illustrate key themes.

Childminding Week 2026 (11-17 May) is Coram PACEY’s annual awareness week celebrating the work that childminders do in England and Wales.

Coram PACEY’s Magic of Childminding campaign launched in March 2026 to raise awareness amongst parents, stakeholders and supporters of the truly unique benefits childminders bring to children, families and their communities. Case studies and more can be found here: https://www.corampacey.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns-media/magic-of-childminding-campaign/

About Coram PACEY

Coram PACEY (previously the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) was formed in 1977, we are a professional association dedicated to supporting home-based childcare professionals including childminders and nannies to provide high quality services, information and advice to children, their families and carers. We want all children to experience high quality childcare and early education, helping them to have a bright future.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.corampacey.org.uk
Facebook and Instagram: CoramPACEY
LinkedIn: corampacey

About Coram

Coram is the UK’s first and longest continuing children’s charity. Established as the Foundling Hospital in 1739, today we are a vibrant and growing group of specialist organisations, supporting hundreds of thousands of children, young people, families and professionals every year.

We support children and young people through a range of services. We deliver life skills, reading and drama programmes in 3,000 schools nationwide. We uphold children and young people’s rights and provide free legal advice for children and families who need it. We support practitioners working in kinship, fostering, early years education and adoption. We run London’s largest regional adoption agency. In addition, the Coram Institute for Children, the only accredited independent research organisation in the children’s sector, delivers cutting edge research informing future policy and practice.

For more information, please visit: