The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland have recently reviewed their collaborative working approaches for carrying out inspections in the early years and school care accommodation sectors. The previous methodology was developed by our predecessor bodies, the Care Commission and HMIE. It is important to update the methodology to better meet the requirements of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

Our new arrangements for working together will seek to maintain high levels of efficiency and effectiveness and to streamline the paperwork we request from providers. 

Changes include joint questionnaires and joint self-assessment and reporting formats. There will be a care inspector as part of the inspection teams for nursery classes in primary schools.

Children and Young People (Scotland) Act: Early Learning and Childcare

Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will work together to support the development and expansion of early learning and childcare. 

We will continue with our current programmes of both individual and shared inspection and evaluation of services for children aged 3 to school age. In relation to the new entitlement for specified groups of 2 year olds to early learning and childcare, our shared activities will focus on building capacity in partnership with the local authorities and organisations such as the National Day Nurseries Association, Play Scotland  and the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), as well as providers themselves.

Our collective aim is to assist in ensuring that the increased provision will be of a high quality with the focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and that commissioners and providers are committed to delivering flexible choices for parents. 

The Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect all daycare and childminding services for children in line with current legislation.