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“Childminders have a vital part to play in achieving the ambition of making Scotland the best place to grow up, and providing the best possible outcomes for our children, starting in their early childhood. They provide a unique experience of childcare, offering flexible and tailored childcare to meet the needs of different children and families. I am grateful to childminders for the unwavering support they continue to show families across Scotland.”
-Clare Haughey, MSP, Minister for Children and Young People
Funding Follows the Child
Funding Follows the Child
Funding Follows the Child is ‘provider neutral’ and is underpinned by a National Standard that to be a Funded Partner – regardless of whether they are in the public, private or third sector, or childminders – settings will have to meet.
Funding follows the child will help increase choice and flexibility for parents and carers whilst ensuring children benefit from high quality provision.
It means that parents and carers – including those of eligible two years olds – will be able to choose to use their child’s entitlement at any ELC provider
Commitment to Childminding
Commitment to Childminding
The Scottish Governments Commitment to Childminding document explains in more detail the following four areas
The Scottish Governments Commitment to Childminding document explains in more detail the following four areas
Investing in the development and growth of the Childminding workforce
Supporting Childminding as a choice – availability and access to Childminders
Promoting Childminding as a choice – helping parents and carers to make informed choices
Business sustainability and support for Childminders
Raising the profile of Childminders in Scotland
Raising the profile of Childminders in Scotland
Childminders are a vital part of Early Learning and Childcare in East Lothian. They provide a nurturing and familial service for children, and can offer a blended service with both Local Authority and Funded Partner Nurseries & Childminders
Resources for Childminders
Resources for Childminders
SCMA Childminding Strategy
SCMA Childminding Strategy
SCMA Strategy
SCMA Strategy
SCMA is the only national organisation in Scotland dedicated to supporting all aspects of childminding. 83% of Scotland’s childminders are members. In recent years, childminding has experienced a number of challenges which have only been intensified by COVID-19, so the need for our new strategy is greater than ever. Over the next three years we will be strengthening childminding, supporting families and increasing parental choice by focusing on five key areas
Changing the Narrative
Changing the Narrative
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is the only organisation dedicated to supporting childminders in Scotland.
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is the only organisation dedicated to supporting childminders in Scotland.
SCMA promote childminding as a quality childcare service and support childminders to be the very best they can be. SCMA helps shape policy, share knowledge and guidance, provide professional training and events for our members and the wider childminding community.
Childminding Perceptions
Childminding Perceptions
Perceptions of the impact of childminding services on child, parent and family outcomes in Scotland
Perceptions of the impact of childminding services on child, parent and family outcomes in Scotland
The Scottish Government has committed to using this research to promote wider understanding amongst parents about the benefits of childminding for accessing their funded hours of ELC and we will continue to work with the Scottish Government and local authorities on this important area
Our Funded Partner Childminders
Our Funded Partner Childminders
All three and four year-olds and eligible two year-olds are able to benefit from free funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC). These hours are free to families funded by the Scottish Government through local authorities.
All three and four year-olds and eligible two year-olds are able to benefit from free funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC). These hours are free to families funded by the Scottish Government through local authorities.
Become a Childminder in East Lothian
Become a Childminder in East Lothian
Become a Childminder Pathway.docxPathway into Childminding
Pathway into Childminding
Childminding is a hugely rewarding career that provides you with the opportunity to:
Contribute to children’s development, learning and wellbeing
Provide a valuable, professional childcare service for your community
Develop new skills and qualifications
Be your own boss, from your own home
Earn money while working around your family’s needs
Childminder Induction Booklet DRAFT.pub (New Childminder).pdfRead our (Become a Childminder Booklet) and start your journey today!
Read our (Become a Childminder Booklet) and start your journey today!
What is partnership working?
What is partnership working?
The Funding Follows the Child approach places more choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement from settings – in the public, private or third sector, including from a childminder – who meets the National Standard, has a place available and is willing to enter into a contract with their local authority.
Local authorities and providers then work together meaningfully and in genuine partnership in delivering flexible ELC provision, while continuing to ensure that a high quality experience for children is maintained and accessible to all
See what our Partner Childminders say on being a Childminder in East Lothian
See what our Partner Childminders say on being a Childminder in East Lothian
• Being outside a lot - love it!
• You can do school runs for your own children and arrange your work around your family
• No commuting
• No need to arrange school holiday cover
• The kids become like an extended family, relationships you build are special with kids and parents
• Helping young people grow and learn
• I love being able to contribute to children’s development, learning and wellbeing
• It feels great to provide a valuable, professional childcare service for my community
• I've developed new skills and qualifications
• Be your own boss, from your own home
• Earn money while working around your family’s needs
• Being in control of your holiday dates/time off
Become a Funded Provider Childminder in East Lothian
Become a Funded Provider Childminder in East Lothian
Support from SCMA
Support from SCMA
SCMA is the only organisation in Scotland dedicated to supporting all aspects of childminding. We have one over-arching purpose, which is to support childminders in Scotland to provide the best service they can for children and their families. They are here to support your new childminding journey every step of the way, and beyond. They can provide you with a range of tools, help and support from the moment you decide to join the profession and throughout your career.
Download and read SCMAs ‘Becoming a Childminder’ step-by-step guide! Simply submit this online form, and they will email the Guide to you.
Download and read SCMAs ‘Becoming a Childminder’ step-by-step guide! Simply submit this online form, and they will email the Guide to you.
STEM in a Childminding environment
STEM in a Childminding environment
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