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Get Funding to Start Your New Childminding Career

For a limited time, SCMA is delighted to be offering fully-funded support and training packages to help set up new childminding business in rural and urban areas of Scotland where there is demand for more childcare to support working families. With funding provided by Scottish Government and participating local authorities and agencies in order to enhance parental employability, the initiative is being led by SCMA and delivered through the Scottish Childminding Partnership. 

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be provided with training, support and a business start-up grant to help them pursue a rewarding career in professional childminding. Register you interest and we will be in touch with more information.



Why be a childminder?

By joining this hugely fulfilling profession, you’ll not only be providing high-quality, nurturing childcare, you’ll also benefit from the flexibility and freedom that professional childminding can offer.

Many people choose childminding as a career as it combines earning an income whilst caring for their own children.


Why should I apply?

Fully funded training and support
Be your own boss
Work from your own home
A career that can fit around you and your family
Support your community and help nurture future generations
Apply now for this fantastic opportunity using the form below.

Who can apply?

If you can evidence that you have the legal right to live and work in the UK, currently live in one of the target areas listed below and are able to commit to establishing your new childminding business over the coming months, please register your interest by completing the enquiry form. Please note that some local authority areas may have further eligibility criteria - more details will be provided once you have been in touch.

Note: If you are interested in becoming a childminder but your area isn’t listed, please email childminder-recruitment@childminding.org as there may be other sources of funding available to help you on your journey.


City of Edinburgh All areas of Edinburgh City considered
City of Glasgow All areas of City of Glasgow considered
Dumfries & Galloway All areas of Dumfries and Galloway considered
Dundee City All areas considered, with priority to Linlathen, Fintry, Whitefield, Mid Craigie, Kirkton, Douglas, Forfar Road, Stobswell, and Charleston.
East Renfrewshire All areas of East Renfrewshire considered
Highland All North coast areas considered, particularly Sutherland.

Targets include: Bettyhill, Dornoch, Durness, Foyers and Stratherrick, Kinlochbervie, Lairg, Lochinver, Portskerra, Skye (especially Portree), Tongue, Wick
West of Scotland Islands & Peninsulas

Argyll and Bute: Rosneath & Kintyre Peninsulas, Islands of Tiree and Bute.

Western Isles: Barra, South Uist and Stornoway

North Ayrshire: Cumbrae

Childminder Recruitment

Please register your interest here and we will be in touch
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Dedicated support and training

All participants who successfully enrol onto this childminder recruitment programme will benefit from:

FREE induction training, one-to-one support and your first year of SCMA membership

All participants on the project will be enrolled onto SCMA's induction training, which will guide you through every stage of the registration process and establishing your business. You will also be assigned a dedicated member of the SCMA team who will provide one-to-one support, every step of the way.

In addition, once induction has been completed and you are fully registered with the Care Inspectorate, you will automatically qualify for a full year of free membership with SCMA, which entitles you to a whole range of exclusive benefits.

FREE start-up package of three childminding-specific training courses

Once induction training has been completed and you have applied for registration with the Care Inspectorate, you will have access to the following three e-learning courses from SCMA to help equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to build a successful career in childminding.

SCMA Business side of Childminding course
SCMA Child Protection in a Childminding Setting course
SCMA Parental Involvement Course

£750* Business Start-Up Grant *

Once you have completed your induction training and are fully registered with the Care Inspectorate you are likely to want to start purchasing equipment and resources and making adjustments to enable you to establish your childcare setting from home. Your start-up grant will enable you to be reimbursed for some of these purchases.**

* Minimum amount, the value of the grant may vary in some local authority areas.

** Conditions apply and proof of purchase will be required before any reimbursements can be made, for further details please see FAQ below.

FAQs

Who is running this campaign and how is it being funded?
Who can apply?
Do I need any specific qualifications to become a childminder?
I live in one of the local authority areas, but not within one of the named communities - can I still apply?
What can the Business Start-up Grant be used for and when will I receive this?
How long will it take to become a childminder?
How can I find out more about what it’s like to be a childminder?


Further information

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity to become a childminder, please register your interest using the form and we will be in touch. Alternatively, if you have a specific query and can't find the answer on this page, please email childminder-recruitment@childminding.org and we will be in touch as soon as possible.


My friends and family always encouraged me to think about working with children. They kept saying I’d be really good at it and it was always something I thought I might try but I had no idea how to get started. My previous roles had included being a hairdresser and working in an opticians - I had no experience of the childcare sector whatsoever. I saw the advert and it was like a lightbulb moment – I was so excited because something just clicked, and I knew this was right for me.

I cannot believe how much has changed in the relatively short space of time since I first saw that advert – in just six months I have a completely new career, I’m self-employed and running my own business. Working with children is something that I knew I would love and I’m delighted that I finally found my route into this!

Read Linsey's story here
Linsey Paul, who established her business in Highland last year after seeing an advert to become a childminder as part of the Scottish Rural Childminding Partnership.



I felt so supported by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) throughout the registration process.

For example, if I needed guidance with any policies and procedures, or advice on the insurance I would require to work as a childminder in my own home – SCMA was there every step of the way. I was even provided with the details of an SCMA childminding support officer who I could contact with questions and for one-to-one support.

Read Skye's story here
Skye Jolly, a former participant on the recruitment programme who has now successfully opened her new childminding business
Thank you to all funders and partners involved in the Scottish Childminding Partnership