Sources are also predicting a tightening of the qualifications required to set up as a child minder.

BBC: Ministers 'plan childcare change'

In Wales, the maximum number of children a child minder can care is six children under eight years of age.

BBC: Nursery ratios raised 'to improve standards'

According to the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), the current childcare ratio in England limits one child minder to looking after three children under the age of two.

BBC: Ministers 'plan childcare change'

They are expected to outline a rise in the number of children a child minder can care for and changes to their qualifications in an attempt to improve the number of child minder places at the same time as maintain a high level of quality, sources say.

BBC: Ministers 'plan childcare change'

In other words, it's something to turn on to divert your infant for a few moments, but it is not intended as a replacement child-minder.

BBC: When are we going to learn to trust robots?

Support for the plans - brain child of Swiss businessman turned politician Thomas Minder - has been fuelled by a series of perceived disasters for major Swiss companies, coupled with salaries and bonuses staying high.

BBC: Swiss referendum backs executive pay curbs