The current Childminding Services Guidance provided by Scottish Government supports the safe operation of childminding settings at this time.  Supplementary guidance is also available for larger childminding settings (currently providing childcare for 12 or more children). 

The Scottish Government continues to consider childminding settings as “low risk”, based on scientific evidence and public health advice, this is due to the smaller numbers of children allowed within a childminding setting, compared to larger settings such as nurseries.    

We recognise that some childminders are understandably worried about their own safety given the current COVID-19 advice and requirements for the wider public to stay at home at this time and to avoid mixing.  SCMA understands the wider restrictions at a public level are of a precautionary nature aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of the virus within the wider community and larger childcare settings rather than any reflection on the safety within childminding settings. 

The Childminding Services Guidance provides detail about what measures are required highlights the standard protective measures which must be followed by all childminders in all levels. For those within Level 4, some additional enhanced protective measures (mainly around shielding) now apply. 

There is no requirement for childminders to remain open - this is an individual business decision. 

SCMA recognises that some childminders may feel less certain about remaining open or feel that they have to stay open to avoid letting down families, or for financial reasons. We also recognise that some childminders are understandably worried about their own safety given the requirement for the wider public to stay at home at this time and to avoid mixing.

SCMA takes the safety of childminders, your own families and the families using your settings very seriously. We also recognise the severe financial pressures continuing to be experienced by many childminding businesses. SCMA continues to participate in national recovery discussions to represent the concerns and experiences of childminding and we will continue to advocate for more financial support for childminding.

SCMA is very aware of the financial concerns of childminders and we are in regular contact and discussion with Scottish Government regarding what support is needed to protect childminding in Scotland.

SCMA worked with the Scottish Government to launch the Childminding Workforce Support Fund in July, with a second phase launched in October 2020, enabling a further 1,015 childminders experiencing financial hardship to access small grants of £350.  The Childminding Workforce Support Fund has now closed to new applicants but there may still be other options available to you soon.

On 14 January, the Deputy First Minister announced that the Scottish Government will be making temporary financial support available to larger childminding settings (currently providing childcare to 12 or more children), who have remained open for key worker and vulnerable children during the period of the temporary restrictions. In addition, the Scottish Government will also be providing further financial support to other childminders who are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not have any detail as yet, but we are working with Scottish Government on this and will update childminders as soon as we can. Read more   

The UK Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension has been extended until 29 January 2021 at 70% of average profits.

If you or your household have been told to self-isolate, it is important to do so. The Scottish Government has introduced the ‘Self-Isolation Support Grant’ to provide those on low incomes (and meet the criteria) who need to self-isolate with a grant of £500. 

The Self-Isolation Support Grant is offered through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund, administered by local authorities in Scotland. These payments are designed to help ensure people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts self-isolate for the required period to stop the onward spread of the virus.

The Self-Isolation Support Grant does not cover people who are self-isolating after returning to the UK from abroad, unless they have tested positive for coronavirus or have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by the Test and Protect Service. 

Read more and find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.

It has been confirmed that ELC funded payments will continue for childcare providers, including childminders, until Monday 1 February - even where children are unable to receive their hours because the settings are closed. This is due to be reviewed at the beginning of February, and we will update childminders if there are any changes.   

In a recent letter from Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “We know that continuation of payments for funded ELC was an important aspect of support to providers during the initial restrictions from March 2020. We also know that many local authorities have continued to issue these payments even where services have closed due to COVID-19 or children have been self-isolating since reopening.” 

As things currently stand, yes, blended placements can go ahead. Childminders should ensure that you are familiar with the Childminder Services Guidance in relation to blended placements and the steps you need to take.  

The Childminder Services Guidance states that within Level 4 restrictions further public health measures could be applied which could affect capacity within your setting. 

For example, consistent small groups in larger settings and restrictions on blended placements may be considered locally; however, the guidance states that going into Level 4 does not automatically result in these measures and that any decisions would be informed by independent advice of local Directors of Public Health. 

When nurseries and schools re-open from Monday 22 February, nurseries attached to primary schools will offer their staff twice weekly COVID-19 tests. This testing regime will then be rolled out to other nurseries and private, voluntary and independent settings.

We understand that some childminders may feel that they have been forgotten about; however, we want to stress that this is not the case. Regular testing is being prioritised for schools and nurseries due to the number of staff working together in these settings and there is therefore greater risk associated with adult-to-adult transmission. In contrast, the majority of childminders are sole workers, so the risk of transmission is far reduced.

However, the Scottish Government do recognise that childminders may be concerned at times that they could have been exposed to the virus. A route has been made available to enable childminders to access an on demand asymptomatic PCR test, which could provide you with reassurance when you need it.

It is important to remember that the asymptomatic testing programme does not replace the safety measures and mitigations that you have put in place within your childminding setting. We must all remain vigilant in continuing to follow all appropriate measures to ensure settings remain low risk environments. 

Read more here and find out how to access testing

If you have arranged a COVID-19 test because you (or someone in your household) is experiencing symptoms - yes, you would need to close your setting and self-isolate in line with the Childminder Service Guidance until you receive the result of your test. If it is negative, you are able to re-open your setting and continue with your childminding.

Similarly, if you have been contacted by the Test and Protect team and told to self-isolate, you would also need to close your setting. 

However, if you do not have symptoms and have arranged a COVID-19 test for your own reassurance, and you are otherwise fit and well, there is no need to close your setting or self-isolate whilst you are awaiting the result. If your result comes back positive for COVID-19, you will then need to self-isolate and follow the procedures outlined in the Childminder Service Guidance.

Childminders are now classified as having Category One, Key Worker status in recognition of the vital role they play in enabling parents/carers to go to continue to work during the pandemic.  

Read more

SCMA is aware of variations in local authorities accepting applications for the children of childminders. If your application is turned down because your local authority considers you, as a childminder, to be “working from home” and therefore not eligible, we would advise going back to your local authority to stress that your place of work is your home which is different to relocating to work from home.  

Childminders are required to physically be present to deliver direct, face-to-face childcare, which again is different from working virtually. Furthermore, you are caring for young children who require dedicated attention, and this would be much more difficult to achieve whilst also home schooling and supporting the wellbeing of your own children. 

Please note that if your application is rejected due to the high demand for spaces in your area, it is likely that vulnerable children and those on the frontline of the NHS and other key supporting emergency response roles may need to be prioritised first.

Evidence shows that being outdoors is good for the overall health and wellbeing of children - and we know that outdoor environments can limit transmission of the virus.

In line with current Scottish Government guidance for the wider public, a maximum of two people from two households can meet up outdoors - this means that a childminder can meet one other childminder whilst outdoors, providing that all children in their care are under 12 years old. Children under 12 do not count towards households or numbers when meeting outside.

Where childminders have access to a garden, they should try to use this space as much as possible across the day, taking the necessary precautions to protect children from the elements. This includes suitable clothing in colder months and head coverings and sunscreen in warmer weather. 

It is important to stress that there is no expectation, based on the current guidance, for childminders to spend more time outside than they usually would with their mindees. Childminding already include a good balance of outdoors play, learning and discovery which childminders are encouraged to continue.

The Childminding Services Guidance also does not include any requirement to move current play and learning opportunities outside nor require childminders to buy additional outdoors equipment. 

Current childminding practice should support adherence to the Childminding Services Guidance - which provides detail on a number of requirements including hygiene, infection control and ventilation.  

Based on the current Scottish Government Childminding Services Guidance – childminders are allowed to continue providing childcare for all children, not just key worker or vulnerable children.  

Based on your own individual circumstances and risk assessment, you may choose to only provide childcare to key workers and vulnerable children.  If you choose to only provide childcare to key workers and vulnerable children, then SCMA advises that childminders and parents continue to discuss any issues regarding a potential change in childcare status openly with each other to ensure there is good communication and a continued good relationship between families and childminders themselves. 

If you reduce your childcare delivery, you should consider the financial implications and discuss with parents and/or local authorities as appropriate.  This may include not charging for spaces or confirmation regarding ELC funding. 

It is important that the terms of your childminding contract are upheld, unless other temporary arrangements between yourself and the parents can be made and agreed by both parties.

The Scottish Funding Council, who provide the guidance for Childcare Payments for colleges, has stated that payments to childcare providers should continue as usual, providing the provider is open (in line with Scottish Government guidance) and the student is attending and participating with their college programme.

Childminders (currently providing care for less than 12 children) are open to all children and families, as per the Scottish Government guidance, therefore payments should continue to be paid by the college. 

If you are having issues with a college regarding Childcare Payments, we would encourage you to get in touch with them, to clarify the position for childminders and highlight the information from the Scottish Funding Council, which states that payments should be made. You can access the relevant information from the Scottish Funding Council here. 
    
To help you with this, SCMA has produced an email template, which you can use to contact the college and support your claim. Download the email template here

Childminders should undertake additional risk assessments with regard to their own safety and those of clinically vulnerable children, staff and other members of the household. 

Childminders requiring to shield should also have received a communication from the Chief Medical Officer regarding this which also acts as a Fit Note.

When considering a new childminding arrangement, it is important and common practice for the parent and child to have one or two initial visits to your setting, in order to support the settling-in process. However, under current COVID-19 guidance you are unable to invite anyone into your home, and this would include prospective parents and their child(ren). Understandably, they will want to meet you and see your setting, so it is important to find other, safe ways of doing this. 

For example, you may wish to have a video call with the parent(s) to chat with them about your service, take them on a virtual tour of your setting and show them around as best you can. Under the current guidance, you may also consider meeting them in person, provided you meet outdoors and maintain a two-metre distance.  

For instance, going for a walk in the local park with your minded children and the new prospective parent and child.  Or, as some childminders have done, recording and sharing a story time, perhaps even sending a daily diary so that the new children and parents, can start to familiarise themselves with daytime routines and what goes on in your setting. We know childminders are very creative and you will find other ways to reassure parents their child is settling, e.g. window visits and sending regular pictures of their child in your setting.

Meeting and speaking with prospective parents and children this way, is a good way of reinforcing that you are taking the situation seriously and all necessary precautions are being taken to minimise risk and keep yourself and your minded children safe. You may find this puts your future partnership on a positive step – especially as positive relationships and trust are so important, and key to successful childminding.     

Childminders are not enforcers; however, it’s important to remember that you do have a duty of care for all the children and families using your service, as well as yourself and your own family. In the first instance, we would recommend that you speak with parents to highlight the guidance and what their responsibilities are, as well as your own duties and responsibilities.

You may find it useful to share the Staying Safe, Protecting Others guidance and our Information Sheet for Parents (which is also available as a print or online version, at the top of this page) with parents using your service, as a way of introducing and engaging a conversation. Hopefully, this will urge a change in behaviour, as well as a wider awareness of their actions and how it could impact on their childcare arrangements.

We understand that it can be tricky for childminders to balance this, as you will want to maintain a close, positive relationship with families; however, knowledge of potential non-compliance with the guidance and certainly where there has potentially be a serious breach i.e. a large gathering, this should be reported to the police in the same way any of us have the duty to do so.

In the cases of a private childminding arrangement, ultimately you can make a decision to give notice in line with your contract to cease childcare provision – although this should be a last resort, in order to try and maintain continuity of care for the child.

If you have a funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) arrangement with a family - it’s slightly different - as you have entered into a contract with the local authority, and you don’t want to be penalised for breaching it without a valid reason. In this case, you should first approach the local authority to tell them that you are considering this, and to highlight your concerns. The local authority (as the statutory funder of the provision) will need the opportunity to engage with the parent(s) and yourself to see if there is scope for resolution and/or to consider how to secure a robust alternative placement. 

Children on the shielding list should not attend any childcare or school setting in person. Individuals who are shielding should stay home as much as possible and minimise contact with people outside your own household.

If you or a member of your household has symptoms of COVID-19, you must cease to operate the service and follow the Health Protection Scotland guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection.

You should also contact the NHS to arrange to be tested at 0800 028 2816 or nhsinform.scot. You can find more information on the COVID-19 Test and Protect webpage.

Childminders must also notify the Care Inspectorate in the event of any confirmed or suspected outbreak of COVID-19, notifications are available through eForms. The childminding service can only resume once the period of isolation is over.

In the first instance, please refer to the Childminder Services Guidance, which provides up to date advice in relation to COVID-19, and you can read more about Test and Protect here. Contact NHS Inform by phoning 0800 028 2816 or nhsinform.scot regarding Test and Protect arrangements and to advise on self-isolation.

If you have any additional concerns, contact your local Health Protection Team who can assess the situation and offer advice regarding your setting. Find details of your local Health Protection team here.

Childminders must also notify the Care Inspectorate of any confirmed or suspected outbreak of an infectious disease via Care Inspectorate eForms and may also require to inform the local authority.

Based on the current guidance from the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland, you should arrange for the child to go home and ensure they are in a well-ventilated area, away from the other children, whilst being appropriately supervised until they are picked up. 

The child should then isolate within their household and book a test (where age appropriate) and follow the Test and Protect guidance. Read more about the guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection.

The operating guidance for childminding services does not suggest a need for you to close your setting if this happens or inform the parents using your service. However, your local Health Protection Team will give you further guidance, and this may vary in different areas, depending on the prevalence and transmission rate in your area.

Please ensure that you also inform the Care Inspectorate of any confirmed or suspected outbreak of an infectious disease via Care Inspectorate eForms.  

It is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate at this time of year, especially as schools and other settings have re-opened. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend your setting; however, where they have quite a heavy cold, a parent / carer may make the decision to keep them at home to recover.

It is important to be clear about how COVID-19 symptoms differ from those of other infections that we normally see circulating at this time of year. For children with potential symptoms COVID-19 (including a new continuous cough, fever/high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste) they will need to self-isolate and seek a test through NHS Inform.

If, however, a child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, they do not need to be tested and can continue to attend school and childcare settings, if they are otherwise well enough to do so. 

Please refer to the latest guidance from Scotland's National Clinical Director, which clarifies the difference between COVID-19 and other common infections. If you are still unsure, please contact your local Health Protection Team.

In addition, as the weather changes a little moving into autumn, it’s important that children are dressed appropriately for outdoor play and learning – particularly if they have a cold. However, it is important to note that the common cold is a viral infection and is not caused by being outdoors. It is also worth remembering that  while there is still a strong emphasis on “maximising” the use of the outdoors, and “as much as possible” - current childminding guidance does not ask childminders move their practice outdoors, or indeed, to greatly change what they already do with their minded children in providing a balance of time indoor and outdoors.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the current Childminding Services Guidance remains in place and will support the safe operation of childminding settings for childminders, their own families and the families using them at this time. This is under constant clinical review for currency and to take into account new developments including the new variant of the virus.  

The Scottish Government continues to consider childminding settings as “low risk”, based on scientific evidence and public health advice, and we understand the wider restrictions at a public level are of a precautionary nature aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of the virus within the wider community rather than any reflection on the safety within childcare settings.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the current Childminding Services Guidance remains in place and will support the safe operation of childminding settings for childminders, their own families and the families using them at this time. This is under constant clinical review for currency and to take into account new developments including the new variant of the virus.  

Childminders will already be familiar with the on-going self-evaluation procedure with the Care Inspectorate; already having systems and paperwork in place as part of previous self-assessments and updating these regularly. This new question ‘Key Question 5’ is purely an extra element that is specific to COVID-19. 

This additional question is asking you to evaluate how you have been supporting children and families during COVID-19, by gathering information and evidence to support how you have implemented the national guidance for COVID-19, whilst ensuring positive outcomes for children and keeping them safe during this time.

The Care Inspectorate has developed a step-by-step guide to help you with this, and it is very easy to follow, where you will be able to identify and recognise your strengths and possible areas for improvement. The guide also provides a selection of ‘very good’ and ‘weak’ examples to help you when you are reflecting on your own setting and practice. 

Read the Care Inspectorate’s guide to self-evaluation during COVID-19

We would encourage childminders to read the above guide carefully, and then complete the Care Inspectorate’s Key Question 5 Self-Evaluation Tool as soon as possible. This will form part of your on-going and continual self-evaluation.

Download the Key Question 5 Self-Evaluation Tool from the Care Inspectorate

The Care Inspectorate has indicated that from Monday 10 August, some settings may be asked to submit it, but some may not – so it’s best to have it completed, ready and prepared. 

Completed self-evaluations that are requested by the Care Inspectorate will be used to assess how well the setting is managing the COVID-19 situation. Consideration will be made as to whether further scrutiny is required and support on-going improvement.  

Do I need to complete the new Key Question 5 if my setting is closed?
If your setting is closed, you don’t need to conduct self-evaluation. However, if and when you re-open your service, you will need to ensure you are assessing your setting on an on-going basis.

More information is available from the Care Inspectorate, and if you have any specific queries about this, please email information@childminding.org.

Parents and carers have the right to choose the type of childcare that best suits their needs based on a provider neutral model.  This means that one provider type should not be promoted over another.

If childminding is not given as an option by your local authority, we would suggest the parent/carer raises this with the local council and MSP. To assist with this, SCMA has developed a template letter and a list of MSPs can be found here.

Please refer to SCMA’s Steps to Re-Opening for an overview of how to go about re-opening your childminding setting. 

Prior to reopening, you must contact the Care Inspectorate to advise of your updated operational status. 

To do this, you must complete a 'Changes to Service Delivery due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)' notification online.  This is a new notification that services must use to inform the Care Inspectorate about changes to how they operate that are specifically related to COVID-19. This is only available through eForms. If you do not update your status, the Care Inspectorate will still consider your service as closed.

The Scottish Government has published current Childminding Services Guidance, which helps to clarify the procedures that should be followed for childminding settings.

The Childminder Services Guidance includes information on:
• enhanced hand hygiene and cleaning practices
• caring for children in small groups
• minimising contact between those groups, where possible
• maximising use of outdoor spaces, where possible
• physical distancing between adults in the setting, including parents at drop-off and pick-up times.

The Care Inspectorate has developed a useful poster for childminders to use to help you keep children and families safe in their settings from the spread of COVID-19. Download the poster here.

In addition, SCMA has produced an information sheet for parents that outlines key infection control measures that childminders will be using within their settings. The aim of this is to reassure parents and set out requirements for childminders to ensure settings meet public health and social distancing guidance during COVID-19. Please us the links below to access:

Download our online information sheet
Download the print version of the information sheet

It should also be noted that all childminders must undertake a risk assessment based on the new guidance before opening and we have created a COVID-19 Risk Assessment Blank Template to assist you with this, available on the 'Resources, Guidance and Documents' section of the Membership Dashboard. 

Current guidance states that childminders do not need any additional PPE for caring for children and they should continue to use their routine PPE – such as gloves for nappy changing or toileting children.

However, many childminders are experiencing difficulty in sourcing these items due to demand across the country.  

To offer a route to buying PPE for private, voluntary and independent early learning and childcare services, including childminders and out-of-school care, the Scottish Government has set up a framework agreement with third-party supplier Lyreco.

Lyreco offers a range of products to purchase, including face masks, aprons, gloves, visors, hand sanitiser, goggles and safety glasses. All products are subject to availability and prices are updated regularly on the Lyreco website.

If you wish to open an account with Lyreco, please first read the privacy notice, then complete the form, which must include your Care Inspectorate CS number and email it to PPEDirectorate@gov.scot. 

Once your CS number is confirmed as being a registered care service your account will be set up. This may take a few days depending on the volume of forms returned. Lyreco will then give you access to their online ordering site, where you will be able to see the full range of products available and current prices.

Opening an account does not place you under any obligation to place an order.

Childminders do not need to physically distance from their mindees, nor do the children need to physically distance from each other.  Please refer to the new Childminder Services Guidance.

It has been recognised in the childminding guidance that physical distancing is not desirable or practical for children in childminding settings.  It is important for children to feel secure and receive warmth and physical contact that is appropriate to their needs, in particular when they are receiving personal care.

While adults from different households should practice physical distancing, this is not always possible - for example, when young children are passed between adults at drop-off and pick-up times. Where close contact between two adults must occur, the childminder and parent should both ensure they wear a face mask and thoroughly wash their hands after contact.

Childminders and parents or carers should aim to agree staggered drop off and collection times to minimise contact between families wherever possible.

Although current guidance states that you should not meet anyone from outside your household socially indoors in your home or their home, there are some limited exceptions to this rule, such as provision of childcare.

Current Scottish Government guidance highlights that grandparents can help to look after children; however, only essential informal childcare is permitted in Level 4 areas. Only children should enter the home of another household.

For further information, please refer to the most recent guidelines on Seeing Friends and Family and the ParentClub website. 

No, childminding settings are not required to re-open at any specific time, the decision to re-open is a personal one for each childminder and their setting.  

If you choose to re-open your childminding setting, it is important to take the time you need to read and digest the Childminder Services Guidance to help you to implement measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone in your setting, and to prepare to welcome back children and families.

SCMA has developed a 'Steps to Re-Opening’ infographic that highlights the three key steps to re-opening, with some handy pointers to consider and links to further resources and support, and can read more here.

SCMA is a professional membership organisation and we have around 3800 childminder members in Scotland. We are not a governing body in the sense that we cannot mandate or enforce practice. Instead, we operate within official guidance for childcare and provide a range of support, advice and information to support childminders in their practice and business activities.

The subject of fees and what to charge parents during these exceptional times is an area on which we have received an increasing number of requests to provide advice to members recently. In parallel, we have also received some requests from parents regarding this. In aiming to do this, we fully recognise the individual nature of members’ businesses and that the final decision regarding what to charge is a personal decision. As such, our advice is only suggestive.

Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive of SCMA provided a full statement on the subject of childminder fees and charging parents in March 2020. The full statement is available on our website here.

Under current guidance, shared resources such as sand, water and playdough can be used as usual with additional cleaning of equipment used, and for larger settings caring for over eight children, should be used only by one cohort of children.

SCMA has been working with our legal team to review our contracts and to ensure they meet the needs of our members whilst keeping in line with any legal obligations during COVID-19 and we will keep members up-to-date with any developments. 

Alongside this, SCMA met with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss contracts, consumer cancellations and refunds - and you can read more here.

To suppress the spread of COVID-19 it is essential that, with limited exceptions, there is no travel to or from areas where higher numbers of people may be carrying the virus. The Scottish Government guidance states that all childminders must ensure they follow the latest travel guidance.

Where it is necessary to use public transport e.g. to attend a planned health appointment, care must be taken to minimise risk, by travelling out with peak travel times, and ensuring hand washing immediately on arrival at the destination. 

Where childminders offer a pick-up service from a child’s home in their own car, childminders should operate physical distancing from any adults, use alcohol hand gel, and wash their hands thoroughly when they return home.

 

SCMA is very aware of the financial concerns of childminders and we are in regular contact and discussion with Scottish Government regarding what support is needed to protect childminding in Scotland.

SCMA worked with the Scottish Government to launch the Childminding Workforce Support Fund in July, with a second phase launched in October 2020, enabling a further 940 childminders experiencing financial hardship to access small grants of £350.  The Childminding Workforce Support Fund has now closed to new applicants but there may still be other options available to you.   

The UK Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension has been extended from 1 November 2020, until January 2021 at 70% of average profits. 

SCMA’s insurers are clear that you are covered, so long as you implement the appropriate steps and actions that are set out in government guidance and Health Protection Scotland guidance. This guidance is evolving all the time so you should regularly review this and ensure your systems and procedures are up to date.

As always, we would advise you to keep written records of the steps you have taken in your setting to ensure so far as is practicable, that children and any staff you have remain safe in your care. This would include adequate risk assessments and other appropriate measures put in place to avoid the spread of any infections, including COVID-19. 

SCMA has also produced an information sheet for parents that outlines key infection control measures that childminders will be using within their settings. The aim of this is to reassure parents and set out requirements for childminders to ensure settings meet public health and social distancing guidance during COVID-19. Please use the links below to access:

Download our online information sheet 
Download the print version of our information sheet 

We are also regularly monitoring the guidance and advice being issued in Scotland to ensure members are up to date with any changes.

In the event that a child or member of staff contract COVID-19 whilst at your setting, it will be important to have this documentation to evidence the steps you have taken to ensure safety and compliance with guidelines. This would be key to successfully defending any possible claim.

If you are not insured with SCMA, you need to check any requirements with your chosen insurance provider.

All parents and carers are entitled to flexible Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) that meets the needs of their children and family circumstances.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, local authorities had been working towards 1140 funded hours being available to all three and four year-olds and eligible two year-olds by August 2020, and this deadline has been extend to August 2021. 

However, children are currently still entitled to up to 600 hours of funded ELC and in some areas, may be able to access up to 1140 hours if capacity and funding allows. Local authorities will keep in touch with parents and carers directly to let them know what is happening in their area.

SCMA initially suspended all external training events and Network Meetings with immediate effect in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have been developing and using virtual methods for childminders to engage with training and networking events, and these have proved to be successful.

We will continue to roll out more throughout the coming year and will keep you updated. 

SCMA Conference 2020
Our October 2020 conference was re-scheduled to the new date of Saturday 24 April 2021 at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. This is being kept under review and we will notify members in due course.

Children under the age of five who are displaying potential coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms will be eligible for testing from Wednesday 22 July.

Throughout the crisis, children under five who displayed potential COVID-19 symptoms were not routinely tested. A test was only carried out if there was a pressing clinical need to do so (for example a young child who needs to be admitted to hospital and whose condition may be due to COVID-19).  

Children aged under five who have COVID-19 symptoms will be eligible for routine testing through all routes including drive-in Regional Testing Centres, Mobile Testing Units and by ordering a home test kit from Wednesday 22 July.  

Visit NHS Inform for further information on Test and Protect.  

The COVID-19 crisis may have had a significant effect on the mental health and wellbeing of children of all ages.  Childminders continue to provide vital support to children and families – and can play a key role in offering positive support, engagement and activities to help children and young people feel safe, secure and as stable as possible during these unsettling times.  

We’ve collated weblinks to some useful resources and tools you can access to benefit children’s mental health and wellbeing within your childminding setting:

---

CAMHS Resources is a great place to start when you’re thinking about mental health and wellbeing – for both you minded children and yourself. CAMHS is able to signpost you to a range of resources designed to help you and young people cope with such stress and uncertainty at this time. 

---

The Natural Health Award was launched a few years ago for childminders in the Forth Valley area to encourage and recognise the health benefits of getting outside into nature at an early age, and the importance of being active and leading healthier lives. 

A new COVID-19 version of the Natural Health Award has been developed by NHS Forth Valley for all childminders and families across Scotland to use and focuses on good health and mental wellbeing in the great outdoors where at all possible.  

---

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Woodland Trust has been sharing ideas to help families keep children engaged and entertained while at home, including 'Nature Detectives' which has activities for nature-loving kids.

It's a fantastic way to discover the wildlife that's right on your doorstep too and includes a range of simple, nature-based activities that you can enjoy together at home, in your garden, or in your local wood. Read more about Nature Detectives from the Woodland Trust

---

The Virtual Nature School is a service offered by the non-profit organisation called ‘Living Classrooms’ and they became virtual as a direct response to the needs of families when schools and nurseries were closed due to COVID-19. 

The aim of the Virtual Nature School is to equip early years practitioners with skills to work outdoors with young children through nature-based, inquiry-led learning – whilst providing children with fun, engaging daily activities and interaction with their peers from home. 

---

The Parent Club website is a really useful resource from the Scottish Government and is also worth sharing with the parents and carers that use your childminding service. During COVID-19 they have developed a range of resources and tools to support children and you people’s mental health. 

Parent Club has also developed a new content hub on their website (parentclub.scot/startback) which includes information about the new guidelines, a wide range of Q&As and how to support children. 

---

Children in Scotland has produced a new resource for teachers and practitioners to support children and young people’s understanding of their wellbeing. Their free resource ‘Improving Children and Young People’s Understanding of their Wellbeing’ aims to provide a hub for information on wellbeing, promote easy and open access to practical tools and information and complement other, existing resources and approaches.

---

Salvesen Mindroom Centre has developed a ‘Back to School’ toolkit to support children and young people with learning difficulties as they transition to school.  

---

Lucy's Blue Day is a resource that was highlighted to us by some of our members, which is a story about Lucy with magical hair that changes colour with her emotions. At lucysblueday.com you can access a range of videos, free resource and tips - plus a free e-book version of 'Lucy's Blue Day', which is designed to help children realise they’re not alone in the current conditions with COVID-19.

---

The Mental Health Foundation has a quick guide that aims to outline the scale of the challenge that pupils and schools are facing, whilst providing practical advice and support for parents, teachers and other practitioners supporting pupils as they prepare to return to school in August. The website also contains other useful publications such as Tips for Parents and Caregivers. 

The wording ‘daycare of children’ is a broad term, and it could be assumed or misinterpreted that childminding settings are included in this classification. However, it is important to note that the legal classification and definition of each type of care service is different.   

The Public Services Reform Act 2010 defines childminders as: “looking after one or more children on domestic premises for reward.”  Alongside this, the Act defines daycare of children services as: “any form of care, supervised by a responsible person and not excepted from this definition by regulations, provided for children, on premises other than domestic premises, during the day.”

We understand this could be confusing and seem conflicting, as childminder do provide care for their minded children throughout the day. However, due to the unique nature of childminding settings being home-based, their classification is different. You can read the definitions in full from the Public Services Reform Act 2010 here.

• To find out what COVID-19 tier your local area is in, please click here and enter your postcode. 
• You may also find it helpful to know what you can and cannot do in Scotland. 

Under the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Framework to support local restrictions (Levels 0-4) the intent is to keep both education and childcare open in all levels. Standing Operating Measures are in place for all levels, and childminders should refer to the Childminding Services Guidance for the measures within each tier. 

For Levels 3 and 4 additional enhanced measures may apply, subject to advice from local Directors of Public Health. Full details of the restrictions and any additional guidance will be available from the Scottish Government following the announcement, which will include the impact (if any) on childcare settings. 

Travel restrictions and quarantine measures at home and abroad are constantly changing – for the most up to date information on travel restrictions in Scotland, UK-wide and abroad, please refer to the latest Scottish Government information.

Anyone travelling anywhere, at home or abroad, must ensure they understand and follow the appropriate guidance, including potentially self-isolating for 14 days before returning to your childminding setting. 

Childminders are not required to physically distance from their minded children, nor do the children need to physically distance from each other.  This is mainly due to the smaller nature of childminding settings and you should refer to the current Childminder Services Guidance on physical distancing.

It has been recognised in the childminding guidance that physical distancing is not desirable or practical for younger children in childminding settings. For older children, the guidance is less prescriptive as childminding settings can vary widely in terms of spaces, size and capacity.

We would recommend that childminders use their own judgement when managing physical distancing for older children, and they should also consider reducing the risk in other ways for instance by limiting access to their home for parents or carers and physical distancing from other adults who reside in the childminder setting where possible.  Overall it is vital that the needs of the individual child are met and that each child feels secure, safe and comfortable.  

Childminders may wish to have a supply of hand gel available at the entrance to their home for themselves and for older children and parents or carers, assistants, and any other adults in the setting. It is also important that adults continue to practice physical distancing at drop-off and pick-up times.

In short - yes, in some circumstances, dependent on the appropriate risk assessments being in place and reducing the potential for transmission of infection. Reference should be made to both the Childminding Services Guidance and the School Age Childcare guidance. Blended placements within these documents are defined as follows:

• Blended placements in school age childcare is defined as “two or more settings, either in educational establishments, other childcare providers, or the wider community”.

• Blended placements in CSG is defined as “This relates to children attending more than one ELC setting (i.e. nursery and a childminder) and also to where childminders are involved in the provision of out of school care.”

The Childminding Services Guidance states that parents and carers should be encouraged and supported to limit the number of settings their child attends, ideally attending one setting only. However, the guidance also states that the balance of scientific advice supports the use of more settings where required to ensure high quality childcare is available to children and in support of parents’ needs.

It also goes on to include useful guidance to support this including detail regarding aiming to only use the same settings(s) consistently, hygiene measures to be considered for blended placements, confirms that childminders can undertake drop-off and pick up from nurseries and primary schools, and also includes details about record keeping to assist with Test and Protect.

While neither document explicitly sets a maximum on the number of settings, where blended placements are considered necessary to meet parents/carers’ needs for quality, flexible childcare, the guidance does seek to minimise the number of settings involved and to ensure consistency of setting(s) where possible so as to minimise movement between settings and reduce the risk of transmission of infection. 

If it is deemed that there is no alternative to this model in order for the parent to have the flexibility they require for childcare, then all settings should ensure they have carried out the appropriate risk assessment and shown how they are mitigating risk, particularly by limiting contacts for children.  Ideally risk assessments, or relevant information from them, should be shared between settings.

The childminder should ensure she/he has a conversation with the other settings to see how this can best be managed.

Face coverings are still not required to be worn while working directly with children, including on the floor or while supporting children to move around the building or with toileting, or as a result of being less than two metres from children.

However, face coverings should now be worn by childminders when in contact with other adults in their setting (such as assistants / parents / carers) in hallways, toilets and kitchens (except when dining) and other confined communal areas where two metre distancing cannot be maintained*. Parents / carers should also wear face coverings at drop-off and pick-up. Please note that childminders should also wear face coverings when collecting / dropping off children from school / nursery.

For more information, please refer to the current guidance on physical distancing measures.  

*except where a person is exempt from wearing a covering. Also, if an assistant is a member of the childminder’s own household (e.g. husband/wife) or extended household (perhaps a single person or relative living separately but who has formed an extended household with the childminder), they are not required to wear a face covering unless in contact with adults from outside the household. 

Yes, you can still sing with your mindees.  Children sing naturally in the course of activities and play, and should not be discouraged from doing so.  Singing can also be used to comfort young children when necessary.  However, singing should not be organised as a large group activity, which may happen in larger childminding settings.

Childminders who wish to attend ‘unregulated organised children’s activities’ such as toddler or parent/carer and baby groups, which are supervised and operating in accordance with the guidance, can do so in the same way a parent and their children would. 

• If attending parent/carer and baby groups (12 months and under), the maximum number of adults who can attend has been set to 10
• For indoor organised activities for children aged over 12 months, the maximum number of adults remains at five.

Please ensure that you are up to date with the current guidance here.

Please note that childminders who wish to arrange activities/meeting up with other childminders are still currently unable to do so indoors as it would be beyond what is permitted under the household meeting guidance. 

Childminders should follow the guidance that applies specifically to the area that you live in, regardless of where the children you care for live. For example: if you live, and your childminding setting is in a Level 3 area, you should follow the guidance associated to Level 3. 

It’s important to be familiar and access the Childminder Services Guidance, which details the operating procedures for each of the levels and how you should apply this to your setting.   

SCMA members may be aware that the union, UNITE, has established a childminding branch in Scotland. For clarity, the UNITE branch is not connected with SCMA – both are separate, independent organisations.  

Individuals can choose to join as many membership organisations as they wish and are eligible to, and where they believe there is value in doing so. Membership of SCMA or UNITE does not affect membership of the other in any way, nor does SCMA need to know if our members are also members of any other organisation. 

SCMA works constructively with a wide range of stakeholders. We received contact from UNITE and offered to meet with them; however, the organisation decided it would prefer not to meet at this time. Our offer to meet to discuss childminding remains open.   

SCMA is the only national organisation in Scotland dedicated to, and specialising in, providing childminding-specific support to childminders in all areas of childminding practice and representing the views and experiences of childminders. We will continue to do so.