To ask the Minister of Health to detail any research undertaken and evidence used to inform the changes to childminding ratios made in the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under Age 12.

In addition to the information received by a wide range of stakeholders in response to the consultation exercise carried out last year, consideration was given to the childminding ratios in place in neighbouring jurisdictions. Although the total number of children that a childminder is permitted to care for varies, all 3 of the other UK jurisdictions and the Republic of Ireland limit the number of children under 8 years old cared for by a single childminder to 6, with up to 3 of those children being under compulsory school age.