It was brilliant to meet with Karen at her home, the Secret Garden in Belle Vue, Carlisle with the excellent local MP John Stevenson.
Childminders like Karen do an important and amazing job, not just providing childcare but educating our youngest minds.
I am keen to explore in my ministerial role how we can encourage more people to become childminders. They are an important part of the childcare and early education sector and can often provide flexibility that other providers cannot. We are looking into ways to incentivise new childminders to enter the market and to support existing childminders, including making it easier to work outside of the home and play a full role in the 30 hours free childcare entitlement.