By Tracey Joyce, Project Lead

Tracey JoyceThis is an exciting time for the childminding profession in Scotland. Childminders are an integral part of the Scottish Government’s plan to almost double entitlement to funded early learning and childcare (ELC) to 1140 hours per year by 2020 for all three- and four-year-olds as well as all eligible two-year-olds. 

With this major increase in funded ELC hours, many of Scotland’s 5500 childminders may wish to play an important role in this expansion. So, it’s essential they continue to have up-to-date resources to help them provide the best possible outcomes for the children in their care.

That’s why we have developed Your Childminding Journey, a new online learning and development resource for prospective and practicing childminders. It is designed to help them both gain and develop the key skills they need to promote good long-term quality outcomes for children and young people.   

This resource has been funded by the Scottish Government and developed in collaboration with key partners including Scottish Childminding Association, Scottish Social Services Council, Care and Learning Alliance, Education Scotland, local authorities and the Care Inspectorate. Most importantly, it’s been developed in collaboration with childminders. 

Since I started this project in May 2016 I’ve been out and about meeting with as many childminders from across the country as I can. They have helped shape this resource and have told me what should be included and what’s most important in delivering the best quality of care. Their help has been invaluable and we couldn’t have developed this without their input.   

Unique profession 

Childminding is a unique profession. A childminder can offer a broad range of opportunities and activities in a small group setting and within local communities, often providing the highest quality of care. Caring for a range of children in a home environment along with running a successful small business requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. This is a demanding and rewarding profession where no two days are ever the same. 

That’s why this resource is designed so that people can dip in and out. It shouldn’t be viewed as a step-by-step process. It’s a bank of support that can be used as required, for all stages of professional development. Potential and new childminders can use it to help consider the type of service they are starting and experienced childminders can use it to help with self-evaluation and development. 

It’s important to point out that this is not an inspection tool. It’s a practical resource designed around quality statements that will help childminders reflect on the skills knowledge and understanding they need to provide the best possible outcomes for children.  

The website will help people who are considering starting up their own childminding business because experienced childminders have shared all of the things they wished they had known before they started and these have been included in the resource.  

It will also help support experienced childminders who want to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding. They will be able to use it to help identify their learning and development needs, support them in reflecting on their service, evaluating what they do well, and what can be improved.     

Please visit Your Childminding Journey and remember this is a living resource that will be updated regularly.