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Introduction

In 2017 The Centre for African Entrepreneurship (The CAE) launched the Access to Childminding Business Support project with funding from the National Lottery Awards for All programme. The project was developed in response to growing demand from African and ethnically diverse communities in Swansea for culturally appropriate childcare and support to become registered childminders.

Working in partnership with Swansea Council's Family Information Service (FIS), the project aimed to increase the number of registered childminders from diverse backgrounds, improve access to childcare for families, and support better outcomes for children in their first five years of life.

Following the success of the pilot, the project has been integrated into The CAE's core activities and continues to support new childminders each year.

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Project Reach and Outputs

Over the last two years:

• 47 individuals received information, guidance and business support to explore childminding as a career.

• 34 participants completed childminding awareness and training sessions.

• 21 individuals progressed through the registration process.

• 14 new childminders successfully registered and began operating childcare services.

• More than 120 children aged 0–5 have accessed childcare provided by childminders supported through the project.

• Over 90 families have benefited from improved access to culturally appropriate childcare.

 

Impact on Early Years Parenting Support

Many parents reported difficulty accessing childcare that reflected their language, culture and family circumstances.

By increasing the number of diverse childminders available locally, the project has:

• Improved access to trusted childcare for over 90 families.

• Reduced social isolation among parents, particularly newly arrived migrant families.

• Increased parents' confidence to access employment, education and training opportunities.

• Enabled parents to receive advice and peer support from childminders who understand their cultural background and lived experiences.

A survey of participating parents found:

• 88% reported reduced stress relating to childcare.

• 81% reported improved confidence in balancing work and family responsibilities.

• 84% felt their child was benefiting from positive social interactions.

 

Impact on Children's Physical Health

Children accessing services provided by supported childminders benefited from:

• Regular outdoor play and physical activity.

• Improved routines around nutrition, sleep and exercise.

• Increased participation in local community activities.

Among parents surveyed:

• 79% reported improvements in their child's physical activity levels.

• 76% reported healthier daily routines and eating habits.

 

Impact on Social and Emotional Development

The project has made a significant contribution to children's social and emotional wellbeing.

Children attending childcare settings established through the project demonstrated:

• Increased confidence interacting with other children.

• Improved communication and language development.

• Stronger emotional regulation and independence.

• Greater sense of belonging and cultural identity.

Parent feedback showed:

• 86% observed improvements in their child's confidence.

• 82% reported improved social skills.

• 85% felt their child benefited from being cared for in an environment that respected and celebrated their cultural background.

One parent stated:

"My child became much more confident after attending. Being with a childminder who understood our culture helped them feel safe and included."

 

Impact on Cognitive Development

Access to quality early years provision has helped support children's learning and school readiness.

Childminders supported through the project incorporated:

• Early language and literacy activities.

• Storytelling and reading sessions.

• Creative play and problem-solving activities.

• Numeracy and communication development through everyday learning.

Parent feedback found:

• 80% reported improvements in language and communication skills.

• 78% observed greater curiosity and engagement in learning activities.

• 75% felt their child was better prepared for nursery or school.

 

Supporting Children Most at Risk of Poor Outcomes

The project has specifically benefited children from families facing multiple barriers, including:

• Poverty and financial hardship.

• Migration and resettlement challenges.

• Language barriers.

• Social isolation.

• Limited access to culturally appropriate childcare.

By creating additional childcare capacity within underserved communities, the project has helped reduce inequalities in access to early years support and development opportunities.

 

Learning and Sustainability

The project demonstrated that culturally grounded childcare provision improves engagement among families who might otherwise struggle to access mainstream services.

Key lessons include:

• Parents are more likely to engage with childcare services that reflect their cultural identity and lived experiences.

• Childminding offers an effective route into employment and entrepreneurship for women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Increased childcare provision directly supports children's development while enabling parents to access work, training and education.

As a result of its success, The CAE has embedded childminding support into its ongoing employability and entrepreneurship programmes and continues to support new childminders each year.

Conclusion

The Access to Childminding Business Support project has created measurable and lasting impact for children, parents and communities.

Over two years, the project has supported the creation of 14 new childminding businesses, improved access to childcare for more than 90 families, and benefited over 120 children during their critical early years.

Evidence from parents and participants demonstrates clear improvements in children's physical health, social and emotional wellbeing, and cognitive development, while also strengthening parenting support and reducing barriers faced by families at greatest risk of poor early childhood outcomes.

The project shows how investing in culturally responsive childcare can improve children's life chances while creating employment opportunities and stronger, more resilient communities.