How does it work?
The service offers funded childminding placements, up to a maximum of 12 weeks, to support parents into work by providing childcare that is flexible and tailored to fit their needs.
It is anticipated that by the time the 12-week funded arrangement comes to an end, parents should be receiving regular income through their employment and will therefore be able to continue the arrangement with their childminder and pay for the service themselves, should they wish to do so.
- Funded placements will be offered (15 - 20 hours per week) to enable both before and after school care to be accessed during term-time, as well as during holiday periods. This will allow parents to go to work, with peace of mind that their child is being cared for by a professional high-quality childminder.
- The A2C service will initially be delivered across four local authority areas - City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife and North Lanarkshire.
- SCMA is co-ordinating A2C, through recruiting, training, and supporting childminders to deliver the funded A2C placements. This also includes co-ordinating referrals and matching the needs of the family to childminders as appropriate.
Read A2C Frequently Asked Questions
Family Referrals
There is specific criteria for families who can be referred to and access the service:
- Lone parents
- Families which include a child with Additional Support Needs
- Larger families
- Minority ethnic families
- Families where the mother is under 25 years of age
A2C is being promoted with both third sector and statutory partners to ensure suitable referrals are targeted and received. In addition, the A2C project is targeted towards those organisations funded by the Parental Employability Support Fund.
The A2C Service is now OPEN to referrals - download the A2C Referral Form here to find out more about what is required, and how to submit your referral application.
For enquiries, please email a2c@childminding.org to contact the A2C team.
Recruitment of Childminders for A2C
A2C offers a great opportunity to expand your service and enhance the future sustainability of your childminding business by introducing new families to your setting; some of whom may not have considered, or been able to, use a childminder before.
SCMA is currently recruiting childminders in the
City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife and North Lanarkshire to support childminding placements for the A2C service.
Criteria for A2C Childminders
To be considered for the project, childminders must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered and active as a childminder with the Care Inspectorate.
- Have achieved a minimum of Grade 4 for all areas at your last inspection, with no significant concerns highlighted within your last inspection report.
- Have Public Liability Insurance in place and ensure that there is adequate cover
- Hold a current Baby and Child or Paediatric First Aid Training Certificate (within the last 3 years); or evidence of professional reading or an online course will be sufficient, until you are able to take a practical course.
- Hold a REHIS (or equivalent) approved Elementary Food Hygiene certificate and adhere to Safer Food, Better Business, if food is to be provided as part of the service.
- Have undertaken the SCMA Child Protection in a Childminding Setting training (available online) and be aware of local authority safeguarding procedures. Proof that you have completed a local authority child protection course would also be accepted.
- Be able to attend two virtual sessions with SCMA.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a pilot scheme and there are only a limited number of funded placements available, so meeting the criteria will not lead to childminders automatically getting children placed.