HC Deb 13 April 1981 vol 3 cc55-6W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many registered child minders there were in 1979 and 1980 in England and in the United Kingdom as a whole; and how many day care places for children they provided.

Sir George Young

Latest estimates are given in the following table:

As at 31 March*
1979 1980
Total number of childminders (full-time and sessional) registered with local authorities in England 35,000 39,000
Total number of children permitted 85,500 99,000
Total number of childminders (full-time and sessional) registered with local authorities in the United Kingdom 38,000 43,000
Total number of children permitted 91,500 106,000
The above figures include estimates for some authorities which failed to make returns.
*Except for the Northern Ireland figures included in the United Kingdom total, which are as at 30 June.