Evaluation of the early learning and childcare improvement programme
The early learning and childcare improvement programme team were asked by the Scottish Government to commission an external evaluation of their programme. The programme focuses on providing targeted support to those settings currently, or at risk of, not meeting the National Standard. In addition, the programme provides a range of universal resources to support all settings with improving quality.
The report concludes that overall, the early learning and childcare improvement programme continues to make a significant contribution to improving the quality and consistency of early learning and childcare in Scotland. Equipping staff with the skills, tools and confidence to lead improvement supporting a shared language of improvement across the sector. Its continuation and development will be essential to maintaining national consistency, supporting providers to meet the National Standard, and securing positive outcomes for children and families.
Read the full evaluation report here.
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Annual returns
This year's annual return will be available to service providers for completion between Tuesday 6 January and Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Each year, we ask you to complete an annual return. This gives us important information that helps us plan, inform and carry out our inspections and improvement work. We share some of the information with other organisations, such as the Scottish Social Services Council and the Scottish Government, and we use it to produce several statistical publications that you can view on our website.
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Inspection of the leadership of children’s social work services in the City of Edinburgh Council
The Care Inspectorate has published a report following an inspection of the leadership of children’s social work services in the City of Edinburgh Council.
The Care Inspectorate was asked to undertake this inspection by the Scottish Government’s Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise.
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We're closed
We are closed today, Monday 1 December, for the St. Andrew's Day Public Holiday. We will reopen at 09:00 on Tuesday 2 December.
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Statement: Castlehill Care Home, Inverness
Some improvements have been made in the quality of care experienced by residents living in an Inverness care home.
The Care Inspectorate has today published a letter of compliance confirming that Castlehill Care Home has met the requirements of an Improvement Notice issued on 7 October 2025, following an earlier inspection which raised serious concerns.
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