WITH regard to the article in last weeks paper, No to Nursery, I attended the Council committee meeting in my capacity as chairman of the local Childminding Group. Mrs Hutler stated that local childminders are worried that she would take away their work.

WITH regard to the article in last weeks paper, No to Nursery, I attended the Council committee meeting in my capacity as chairman of the local Childminding Group.Mrs Hutler stated that local childminders are worried that she would take away their work. Of course we are worried about this. At the present time the majority of the 33 registered childminders within this town have vacancies. One of the local nurseries has 10 vacancies.Local government is supposed to be working with existing local childcare providers to make sure that the area is not over subscribed with additional childcare places that are then unused.Mrs Hutler has applied for funding from the Care and Education Department to enable her to open this nursery. She has also stated that she has evidence that parents are in need of this new facility.No survey has been undertaken to find out just how many places are required. Registered childminders have certainly not been asked to provide evidence of how empty or full their childcare places are. The town of March may be growing in size but there is also a great deal of unregistered care of children taking place among family and friends.Certain out of school clubs are having to close because of lack of children and with the onset of children's centres, childminders will may cease working and then where will parental choice be.I have been childminding in this town for 15 years, hold a level three qualification and at my recent Ofsted inspection was awarded an 'outstanding' grade. I do not want to have to give up a job that I love doing because of lack of work when it can be prevented. Sue Simkins Registered ChildminderSUE SIMKINSMarch.