What do childminders provide in addition to care?

Childminders play a crucial role in children’s early years by providing not only care but also opportunities for holistic development and diverse play experiences. The essence of holistic development means addressing various aspects of a child's growth, including physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

When childminders engage children in a variety of play activities, they contribute to learning and development through exploration and interaction. This can include creative play, outdoor activities, and structured games that encourage problem-solving skills and social interaction with peers. Such a broad approach ensures that children develop not just academically but also in terms of their emotional and social well-being, which is vital at a young age.

This is in contrast to other options, where basic supervision implies minimal engagement and does not promote development. Limited interaction would hinder children’s ability to learn from their environment and from the childminder themselves. While training for parents on childcare can be beneficial, it is not a primary role of childminders, whose focus is on the children's development and care during the time they spend together. Hence, the comprehensive nature of childminders' role extends far beyond mere supervision or interaction, emphasizing a well-rounded developmental approach.