BRACKNELL Forest has lost more than a fifth of its childminders in under five years, figures show.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled an income support scheme for self-employed workers, following calls from early years leaders for the Government to provide “vital” support for childminders during the coronavirus crisis.

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Ofsted data shows that 183 childminders were registered with the watchdog in Bracknell Forest at the end of last year.

That was down from 237 in March 2015 – the earliest point for which a local breakdown is available – a decrease of 22.8 per cent in less than five years.

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Of the childminders registered with Ofsted at the end of 2019, 179 were on the Early Years Register – meaning they care for children aged 0 to five – while four were not.

Across England, there were 37,620 childminders registered at the end of 2019, 11,800 fewer than in March 2015.

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Ofsted says the number of available childcare places has remained relatively stable across England due to an increase in the proportion of places offered in non-domestic premises, such as nurseries and daycare.

Mr Sunak told self-employed people affected by the coronavirus pandemic they “have not been forgotten”, as he announced that a taxable grant covering 80% of their average profits over the past three years, up to £2,500 a month, would be made available from early June.

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The scheme will be open to those with taxable profits of up to £50,000, and who make a majority of their income from self-employment.

“This scheme will be open to people across the UK for at least three months, and I will extend it for longer if necessary,” Mr Sunak said.

“You will be able to claim these grants, and continue to do business. We’re covering the same amount of income for a self-employed person as we are for furloughed employees.”

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said the group welcomes the measures announced by the Chancellor, but is “deeply concerned” that childminders will have to wait until June to receive financial support.