CHILDMINDERS have been left feeling “entirely unsupported” and “underappreciated,” with one in four receiving reduced rates or nothing at all to care for key workers’ children.

Childcare providers have been “financially crushed” during the coronavirus crisis, childcare platform Yoopies warned today after publishing a shocking report into the problems faced by those in the profession. 

Researchers surveyed 425 childcare providers including Ofsted-registered childminders, nannies (Ofsted and non-Ofsted registered) and self-employed babysitters.