What impact is the government-funded wraparound childcare scheme having on childminders?

From recent sector reports, significant concerns have emerged about the impact of government-funded wraparound childcare schemes on childminders in England. While childminders provide vital before- and after-school care to many families, a survey by PACEY in March 2025 reveals they feel largely excluded from the national wraparound childcare programme, which launched in September 2024.

Key findings from PACEY’s survey of over 1,100 childminders:

• More than three-quarters of childminders currently offer wraparound care, with most providing both before- and after-school sessions, including breakfast clubs.
• Despite 76% being aware of the government’s wraparound childcare programme, only around 25% have received direct communication from their local authority, and just 8% know their designated wraparound lead.
• Less than 1% of childminders reported receiving any grant funding from local authorities under this programme.
• Nearly 20% of childminders have lost business directly due to the expansion of funded breakfast clubs and wraparound care in schools, as families opt for cheaper or free provision elsewhere.
• Over 45% believe the schemes have had a negative impact on their business, while only 4% see a positive effect.

PACEY’s Chief Executive Helen Donohoe highlights that childminders are already facing a sharp decline in numbers, and the exclusion from funding risks further destabilising this essential childcare sector. She calls for urgent government action focused on recruitment, retention, and ensuring childminders are properly included in wraparound childcare strategies.

Safeguarding and quality considerations

Alongside these business concerns, NSPCC Learning has emphasised the importance of robust safeguarding in wraparound care settings. Wraparound care-which covers childcare before and after the school day and during holidays-must be safe, dependable, and tailored to local community needs. Providers include schools, private and voluntary organisations, childminders, and early years settings.

Key safeguarding requirements include:

• All staff must receive safeguarding training and have access to a named safeguarding lead.
• Vetting and background checks are mandatory for all staff and volunteers.
• Providers must follow relevant statutory safeguarding guidance, such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for school-based settings and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for younger children.
• Providers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Local authorities in England must designate wraparound leads to coordinate safeguarding and liaise with schools and providers.

Even when wraparound care is not directly managed by schools, schools remain responsible for ensuring safeguarding standards are met and for communication between providers and schools.

Summary

While the government’s wraparound childcare programme aims to increase affordable before- and after-school care, childminders-who deliver a large proportion of this care-feel overlooked and underfunded. This threatens their viability and risks reducing choice for families. At the same time, safeguarding guidance from NSPCC Learning underscores the critical need for high standards and clear responsibilities across all wraparound care providers.

Urgent collaborative efforts between government, local authorities, schools, and childminder organisations are needed to ensure childminders are fully included in funding schemes, supported to sustain their businesses, and equipped to provide safe, high-quality wraparound care that meets the needs of children and families.

You can read the PACEY press release here: https://www.pacey.org.uk/paceys-childminder-survey-wraparound-provision/?utm_source=chatgpt.com