13/06/2026
How many childminders have to fight alone before the system changes?
This week, public debate has once again turned to confidence in decision-making across our justice system.
At the National Union of Childminders, we believe difficult questions should be asked about the experience many childminders report when challenging regulatory decisions before the First-tier Tribunal.
Many of our members describe feeling that the process is stacked against them.
They tell us that:
❓ They have paid into legal expenses or childminding insurance policies for years, only to discover that support for challenging regulatory decisions is rarely given.
❓ They are often left with no realistic option but to represent themselves or leave childminding.
❓ They face publicly funded solicitors and barristers acting for regulators such as Ofsted, while trying to navigate a complex legal system alone.
❓ They can spend months, and sometimes years, appealing decisions before those decisions are eventually reconsidered or overturned by higher courts.
A system that leaves ordinary working childminders feeling unheard or overwhelmed risks undermining confidence in the regulatory process.
Our members have also raised concerns about cases where they believe evidence favourable to them has not been given appropriate weight. Some have told us they feel that even where dishonesty and misconduct by regulators is evidenced, regulatory decisions are too readily upheld at first instance, leaving them to continue lengthy and costly appeals.
No childminder should have to choose between protecting their livelihood and protecting their family's finances.
No childminder should feel that access to justice depends on the size of their bank account.
We believe there should be a review of:
📌 Access to legal support for childminders.
📌 The effectiveness of legal expenses insurance products. (We have written to Coram Pacey and Childcare.co.uk asking that they look at the conduct of the insurance companies they partner with.)
📌 Equality of arms between individual childminders and publicly funded regulators.
📌 The length of time it takes to resolve appeals.
We have written to Bridget Phillipson and David Lammy calling for action and for a justice system that commands the confidence of the early years sector.
Childminders are professionals.
Childminders and the families we support deserve fairness.
We all deserve transparency and a system where the wellbeing of children is at the heart and so childminders can challenge decisions without feeling that they have to fight alone.
If you've had to represent yourself against a regulator, we'd like to hear about your experience. Bridget Phillipson Olivia Bailey MP David Lammy Childcare Registration Coram Family and Childcare Department for Education Childcare.co.uk
