THE number of childminders registered in Warrington has dropped by more than 50 per cent from last year, according to a childcare platform.

Now, the UK’s Department of Education (DfE) has proposed to also raise the OFSTED registration fees for childminders by up to 23 per cent, on top of a declining number of people taking on the job.

According to Yoopies, a childcare platform, Warrington has seen a 78 per cent decrease in childminders over the past six years, based on a projected figure for end of 2019.

This is in line with trends noticed in other parts of the country.

Currently, the application and annual renewal fees for part-time childminders is £35, whereas full time childcare facilities, including nurseries and daycare groups, are charged £225.

These have remained the same since 2010, and the DfE argues that it is necessary to raise the costs in line with inflation increases.

Price changes could come into effect in nine months, with a proposed increase to £43 for childminders and £269 full daycare settings.

Benjamin Suchar, CEO of Yoopies, Europe’s leading childcare platform said: "We’ve noticed a big difference between the average price of care on our UK site vs our other sites in France, Spain and Germany.

"Even after tax subsidies, parents can expect to pay more than double than that of their European counterparts."

Francesca Chong, manager of Yoopies UK added: "Instead of putting up prices, I would call for OFSTED to consider scrapping the registration fee altogether and subsidise the cost of registration fully- it is clear that new measures must be put in place to avoid a crisis."