We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tracy Joyce into the post of Project Lead – Childminder induction. Tracy will be seconded for a period of one year and will take up her post on 9 May.

This post has been funded by the Scottish Government following the recommendation made by Professor Iram Siraj's Independent Review of Early Learning and Childcare Workforce and Out of School Care Workforce in Scotland, that induction or pre-registration training should be a requirement for registration to provide a childminding service under the Public Services Reform Act.

Scottish Government has acknowledged that the recommendation within the report cannot be a requirement for registration without amendments to the current legislation. They have requested that the Care Inspectorate scope a framework for an induction programme and continuous professional framework for childminders which would be accessible to anyone living in Scotland wishing to register a childminding service and registered childminders who wish to access further development to enhance outcomes for children using their childminding service. The Scottish Government response can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/12/3795/0

Tracy will lead on this project and will collaborate with colleagues within the Care Inspectorate as well as childminders and external colleagues who work in a range of organisations.