National study on childminding starts today |27 August 2013

As from today some 70 data collectors will be visiting childminders throughout the country to collect information as part of a study aimed at improving the quality of childminding services and providing support to childminders.

It is estimated that there are around 300 childminders throughout the country but for this study, childminders who have four or more children in their care will be eligible to take part. This represents around sixty percent of the total childminders’ population.

The chief executive of the Institute of Early Childhood Development( IECD) Shirley Choppy said yesterday that during the next three weeks the data collectors will be busy reaching out to the childminders and during the fourth week they will start collecting information from parents.

She noted that around 1000 parents who leave their children in the care of childminders are expected to be contacted as part of the study.
“Information the parents will provide will also be crucial to the study,” Mrs Choppy pointed out.

After all the information has been collected, analysis of the data will start and this is expected to be completed by the end of October.

“The government is expected to have a good idea of the status of childminding services in the country before the end of the year,” Mrs Choppy said.