Unite the Union, Ireland Region

Registered childminders seek immediate move to increase ratios to levels already in place in England and Wales

Approximately 300 Registered Childminders have left the sector as a result of almost three years of political inaction

Unite the union Registered Childminders (RCM) branch which represents the majority of those working in the sector, an overwhelmingly female workforce – the majority of whom work from their homes, has written to incoming Health Minister Robin Swann to seek an urgent meeting. The sector has suffered high levels of attrition with approximately 300 registered childminders leaving the occupation due to financial pressures arising from ratios imposed in Northern Ireland that are much lower than those imposed in England or Wales.

In June 2021, the Unite RCM branch submitted eight recommendations to the Department of Health that were necessary to raise incomes and address the challenges facing the sector. With no Minister in post due to the extended collapse of power-sharing institutions, no decision was made and the sector has suffered a major loss of practitioners.

In England, RCMs are allowed to offer childminding services to 12 children, in Wales the ratio is 10 while in Northern Ireland the ratio is only six and this results in a sharp reduction in the potential income of childminders here.

The Chair of Unite the union’s Registered Childminders branch, Dolores McCormick said, “We congratulate and are very much looking forward to meeting the new Minister for Health Robin Swann to discuss the immediate increase in childcare ratios.

“Registered Childminders (RCMs) in Northern Ireland have waited for far too long for ratio equality with their peers in the rest of the United Kingdom. As a result, the sector is haemorrhaging. A net 300 Registered Childminders have been forced out of the sector due to continuing financial pressures and the challenges of struggling with the cost of living crisis. The demand is there, the supply is lacking – we are the supply.

“The failure to address this crisis threatens the future of the sector – which would leave parents with no other choice but to use unregistered childcare services where they will be unable to claim financial help with childcare. Registered Childminders in Northern Ireland demand Equality. At minimal cost, Minister Swann could deliver sustainability for the Registered Childminders sector. Time has stood still for far too long. We have met all political party childcare representatives and all have agreed immediate ratio change is needed, it’s now time for action.”