According to a report from the Northern Ireland Childminding Association, by taking the services of illegal childminders, parents are putting their children's lives in danger. It has been found that over one-third of the newly-registered childcare experts said that they are aware of at least one childminder who is operating illicitly in their region.

NICMA is cautioning parents not to utilize the services of an unregistered childminder in order to save money during the time of economic crisis. If a childminder is not registered with the local health and social care trust, it is against the law to pay him for more than two hours a day.

Jenny Adair from the charity told UTV that she was worried regarding the security of the children who were being cared by people, who have not gone through a criminal record check or who do not possess any insurance.

She said, "I certainly can sympathize with parents in this current economic climate, but I think it is very important that they look to a registered child minder for care to ensure that the childcare is being properly regulated".

Children's safety should be parents' first priority, Adair added. Also, it is imperative that regular inspections should be performed so as to keep a check on unlawful businesses.