Blocks on childminders looking after children in their rental properties should be lifted to help boost numbers in the sector, a minister has told landlords.
Children’s minister Claire Coutinho has written to housing associations, social landlords and developers urging them to review restrictive clauses in tenant contracts which could prevent them from working in their own homes.
The restrictions are seen as a factor that can discourage people from considering a career in childminding.
She said: “We have outstanding, high-quality childminders, offering flexible and accessible childcare in a home-like environment.
“Too often prospective childminders are having the door slammed in their faces because they face a blanket ban on working from home.”
It comes as the UK government lays the groundwork to begin offering more free childcare provision to parents.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced reforms for England in the Budget in March which will allow some families of children as young as nine months to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week.
From April next year, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare. This will be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September next year.
