Since the updated Childminder Services Guidance was published on Monday 9 August, we have taken a number of enquiries from members who have found the changes regarding self-isolation unclear. These questions have included:

- Do all children still have to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive?
- Why do under-fives not have to have a PCR test?
- Is it safe for a child who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive to attend my setting instead of self-isolating?
- I deliver funded hours – how does this affect my contract?
- What should I do if a parent wants their child to attend and I am uncomfortable?

We will try to answer these questions as best we can –

New Requirements for Self Isolation 
As of 9 August 2021, the restrictions on self-isolation have eased as scientific advice indicates widespread self-isolation is no longer proportionate to the level of risk. This is due to progress in vaccination and in suppressing the virus. However, self-isolation remains an important means of restricting the spread of the virus, but has now become more targeted. The same new guidance applies to all childcare settings (including blended placements). For childminders, the Childminder Services Guidance should be followed which states -

Adults, who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, are no longer required to self-isolate provided they are double vaccinated, with at least 14 days since their second dose and have a negative PCR test

If a child is identified as a close contact of a positive case, the need to self-isolate has also changed –

Children over five do not need to self-isolate, provided they have received a negative PCR test result

Children under five are excluded from having to provide a negative PCR test.  This is because it is recognised that it may be extremely uncomfortable and distressing for very young children to undergo a PCR test.  Also, children under five are in the category least at risk of contracting the virus. A PCR test may still be recommended in some cases by Test & Protect, but the Childminding Services Guidance makes clear that their exemption from self-isolation should not depend on this. It should also be recognised that as wider progress is made in vaccination, and through the continued PCR testing of adults and older children, the risk in under-fives should reduce further.

While the above relates to close contacts and self-isolation procedures, if any child is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 they should be self-isolating and not attending the setting.

Those At Highest Risk 
The Chief Medical Officer wrote to everyone on the Highest Risk List in relation to the move to Level 0. His advice is that people at highest risk can now follow the same advice as the rest of the population in the context of our cautious approach to easing restrictions. This is because the vaccination programme is working well and as the number of people who have been vaccinated rises, everyone will benefit from greater protection, even the small number of people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons

Contractual Matters and Communication with Parents/Carers 
If the child is a funded ELC placement, then you will need to adhere to the guidance or if not, would need to discuss this with the local authority, as it could affect your contract with them.

If the child is attending as a private arrangement, you should still follow the current advice and guidance that is in place, as this could similarly affect your contract with parents/carers. 

SCMA recognises that childminders are individual business owners, however we do not recommend making any adjustments to your policies which are contrary to the Childminding Services Guidance. If you are concerned, SCMA would advise a discussion with parents/carers to agree how best to approach matters, to reduce any concerns which you may have and agree an approach that both you and they are happy with.

Practical Issues Arising From The Latest Guidance 
Throughout the pandemic, the scientific advice and guidance continues to evolve, including the most recent changes to self-isolation. If childminders experience any practical problems arising from applying this latest guidance, SCMA would encourage you to please contact us at information@childminding.org and we will feed this into on-going recovery discussions with the Scottish Government and Care Inspectorate. 

For children who are close contacts of positive cases, the restrictions on self-isolation have eased as long as the guidance on providing negative PCR tests is also implemented as follows: 

Adults who are double vaccinated, with at least 14 days since their second dose and have a negative PCR test, will no longer have to self-isolate. 

For children, the need to self-isolate has been removed; provided that children aged five years and over have a negative PCR test, which means they would be able to attend your childminding setting. If the test returned a positive result, they would not be able to attend and should self-isolate. 

Close contacts aged under five are excluded from this and can attend your childminding setting. However, a PCR test may be recommended by Test and Protect, but their exemption from self-isolation should not be made conditional on this. If a test is recommended and returned a positive result, they would need to self-isolate.   

Anyone who displays the symptoms of COVID should self-isolate and book a PCR test.

Test and Protect will take on a more compressive follow-up system. Childminding settings should continue to record as previously.

Based on the current Childminder Services 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.  

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.

If you have a positive COVID-19 case in your setting, a letter should be sent to parents using your service and any staff, to inform and encourage them to be vigilant and take regular tests. The Scottish Government has provided a Warn and Inform Information Sheet to assist.

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.

As Scotland moved to beyond Level 0 on Monday 9 August – self-isolation will be eased for adults; those who are double vaccinated, with at least 14 days since their second dose and have a negative PCR test, will no longer have to self-isolate. 

For children, the need to self-isolate will also be removed - provided that children aged over five years have a negative PCR test. Children aged under five are excluded from this; however, a PCR test may be recommended - but the guidance outlines that their exemption from self-isolation should not be made conditional on this. 

If a child or adult in your setting is symptomatic, self-isolation in accordance with the COVID-19 guidance is still required. 

You would only be required to close your childminding setting if you have an outbreak in your setting.

Childminders should follow the wider public health guidance about meeting other indoors and outdoors, depending on your local area’s current restriction Level (0-4) and beyond Level 0. 

From Monday 9 August, Scotland has moved beyond Level 0; please remember to keep up-to-date with any changes that may occur to this. It’s also important to remember that one-metre physical distancing should be maintained between childminders, but children under 12 do not count towards the total number of people or households in a gathering and do not need to maintain physical distance from others.
 
Other things to consider, as per the current social distancing guidelines: 

• minimise the number of meetings you have with people from other households each day
• stay at least one-metres away from anyone who is not part of your household (unless in a public venue that is operating one-metre distancing with additional measures being in place to avoid transmission)
• maintain hand and cough hygiene
• avoid touching hard surfaces with your hands
• wash your hands when you arrive, when you leave, when you get home and especially before eating or after touching surfaces
• do not share food or utensils

 
In terms of sharing toys and resources, this is allowed but childminders should consider the application of the Childminding Services Guidance in relation to the use of materials and toys among children, cleaning and hygiene guidance and: 

• childminders will wish to update their risk assessments to take account of these meetings, and where they’re part of a blended care model would wish to engage with the other service provider to share updated risk assessments;
• parents should be engaged with to ensure that they are content with the meetings and the additional risks that this poses, including the additional range of contacts which would be impacted should there be a need for any contact tracing to take place.

In addition, those at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (including those who had been shielding, people aged 70 and over, people who are pregnant and people with an underlying medical condition) should strictly follow the physical distancing guidance.

Yes, from Monday 9 August, Scotland has moved beyond Level 0 and soft play and other indoor activity centres are allowed to operate.

Soft plays are now under no obligation to follow any specific guidance, although the Scottish Government recommends that they still consider adhering to the enhanced hygiene and safety measures as part of a cautious approach to re-opening. We would advise that you check that these measures are in place, before visiting the venue. 

In addition, soft play and indoor play centres are required to follow Safer Businesses and Workplaces guidance for businesses and workplaces, which includes the use of face coverings, cleaning regimes and ensuring that contact tracing is in place. 

Childminders should wear a face mask (unless exempt) and maintain a one-metre physical distancing from other adults at all times. Please refer to the latest guidance for keeping everyone safe in Scotland: ‘Staying Safe and Protecting Others’

As there will be many touchpoints with other children through using shared apparatus, childminders should also consider the application of the Childminding Services Guidance in relation to the use of shared materials and toys among children as well as cleaning and hygiene guidance:

• childminders will wish to update their risk assessments to take account of such visits, and where they’re part of a blended care model would wish to engage with the other service providers to check updated risk assessments.
• parents should be engaged with to ensure that they are content with the additional risks that this poses, including the additional range of contacts which would be impacted should there be a need for any contact tracing to take place.

In addition, those at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (including those who had been shielding, people aged 70 and over, people who are pregnant and people with an underlying medical condition) should strictly follow the physical distancing guidance within the Childminder Services Guidance.

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.

Where childminders have access to a garden and/or outdoor space, 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.  

No – childminding settings are not required to have a CO2 monitor. Detail and guidance on ventilation has been provided by the Scottish Government for school and larger group settings, but this will not apply to most childminders. 

The list of mitigations, provided with the Care Inspectorate Provider Update email, states that where settings have CO2 monitors, they should use them to assess their setting.  However, there is no requirement for childminders to have CO2 monitors in their setting. 

Using outdoor spaces, opening windows whilst you are indoors and keeping as much fresh air moving through your setting is ideal to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 indoors. This is something that we have all become familiar with, and this will be continuing to be encouraged for all settings.

To our understanding applicants can only apply for the periods given and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been tapering off recently, based on the original governmental assumption that the need for financial support would gradually reduce. 

Currently, we do not believe the UK Government intends to continue either the Job Retention Scheme (furlough) or SEISS beyond the latest instalment. 

We do agree it unfair that applicants can only apply for a forward period (in this case May-September 2021) based on their reduction in turnover from April 2020 - April 2021, as this does not reflect if income is continuing to reduce and is expected to be lower than last year over the next few months. 

We have taken financial advice regarding this from Mark McDowall, McDowall Accountancy Solutions, with whom we work, who has provided the following helpful advice:

“The SEISS - 5 grant is based on your turnover figures. A self-employed business must use the turnover figures of a 12-month period that started from 1 April 2020 to 5 April 2021. This is essentially your turnover for tax year 2020-2021.

“There should be many childminders that already have that figure available to them from their annual accounts preparation and tax return submission, but if your books are still not prepared then you must work out the turnover figures.

“Please remember that you do not include previous SEISS grants, business support grants and local authority grants in working out your recorded sales.  When working out your turnover for SEISS - 5 you do not include grants in working out the eligibility. (This should not be mistaken from the inclusion of these grants in your tax return income, as they are fully taxable).

“The next stage in working out your eligibility for the grant is to use a comparative reference year which for most business will be the turnover reported in the 2019/2020 tax return. If your sales were relatively poor in this year, then the tax payer can use the figures reported from the 2018/2019 tax return.

“If the 2020/21 turnover has reduced by 30% or more compared to the turnover in the reference period, the grant will be 80% of three months average profits capped at £7,500. In other cases where the reduction in turnover is less than 30%, the grant is 30% of three months average profits capped at £2,850.”

Further useful information can be accessed on McDowall Accountancy Solutions’ Facebook page.

We are aware that many childminders have continuing concerns about their business sustainability and that their income could decrease further linked to the increasing loss of business due to families self-isolating (which is causing increasing problems for many at this time) and, in some cases, restrictive offers for blended placements after the summer. 

We are in active on-going discussion with the Scottish Government about both the impact of self-isolation and other restrictions on childminders and the need for more financial support linked to self-isolation and business sustainability and/or a relaxation of restrictions. 

Children in your childminding setting can use a paddling pool, provided that you undertake a full risk assessment, obtain parental consent, the children are not left unattended at any time, and the item and equipment are being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Paddling pools are not specifically referred to in the Childminder Services Guidance; however, it does refer to playing with water, and childminders should also take account of the guidance to ensure all infection risks are minimised: “Resources such as water and playdough can be used as usual, with additional cleaning of equipment used. Water and playdough should be replaced on a daily/sessional basis.”

In addition, a specific risk assessment for paddling pool use should be undertaken to minimise any possible infection risk. For example, there is an increased opportunity for little ones to ‘piddle’ in the pool – therefore childminders should take this into consideration and possibly limit the number of children using it at the same time and/or have two pools.    

In warm weather, you may find that other types of water-based play can also be explored, such as pouring and measuring, splashing and swirling your hands in water, using spray bottles, hoses and sprinklers. These are just a few ideas to try out, again with necessary risk assessments in place.

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. 

The guidance for organised children’s activities does not set a universal limit on the number of adults who can attend, this is determined by the individual venue’s capacity and ability to maintain any required distancing between adults. 

Please ensure that you are up to date with the current ‘Staying Safe and Protecting Others’ guidance here.

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

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.  

Need more support?
The Care Inspectorate has a series of online bitesize resources on the Hub, which will support services to complete their Key Question 5 self-evaluation.  

The sessions share some pointers and reminders which will help raise knowledge on the information and detail required to ensure settings facilitate self-evaluation. Read more and access the bitesize resources  

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.

If you are concerned about being exposed to COVID-19, you can access an asymptomatic PCR test. Read more here and find out how to access PCR testing.
  
Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing is available for anyone in the population who wishes it and childminders can access this at home self-testing too. You can find details of how to access at home LFD testing here. 

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

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 Services 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.

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.

If you have been contacted by the Test and Protect team, from Monday 9 August, self-isolation has been eased for adults. Those who are double vaccinated, with at least 14 days since their second dose and have a negative PCR test, will no longer have to self-isolate. 

For children, the need to self-isolate will also be removed; provided that children aged over five years have a negative PCR test. Children aged under five are excluded from this; however, a PCR test may be recommended, but their exemption from self-isolation should not be made conditional on this. 

Visits by parents/carers to your childminding setting are now permitted, provided they are planned in advance to ensure they can be managed, and risk assessed. 

Visits must be limited to up to three households at a time or per day if they are indoors, and up to six households at a time or per day if they are outdoors. For large childminding services (with 12 or more children) this limit can increase to 10 households when outdoors.

Where it is necessary for parents to visit your setting, face coverings should be worn, and parents should be encouraged to take part in testing. Visits are not permitted if a COVID-19 outbreak has occurred in the setting and/or the child’s home.

Yes, blended childcare placements are permitted. 

The Childminder Services Guidance highlights that the previous preference for a single model of childcare has been removed in areas operating within Level 0-2. In Levels 3 and 4 single models of childcare are still preferred, but blended placements are allowed on a case-by-case basis.  

Blended Placements – Summary:  
- Level 0 and beyond Level 0: all blended placements can go ahead, without restriction, provided they are supported by risk assessments. The previous preference for a single model of childcare has been removed. 

- Levels 1 and 2: blended placements need not be restricted provided that one of the settings is caring for fewer than 12 children and that individual placements do not involve more than two settings. The previous preference for a single model of childcare has been removed.
 
- In Levels 3 and 4 single models of childcare are preferred, but blended placements will continue to be allowed on a case-by-case basis.  

In line with current Scottish Government Guidance, anyone travelling anywhere - at home or abroad, must ensure they understand and follow the appropriate guidance for that area.  

Those who are fully vaccinated are currently able to return from amber and green list countries without the need to quarantine (correct as of Monday 9 August 2021).  

Travel to red list countries is being heavily discouraged – and anyone returning to Scotland from a red list country will need to book a quarantine hotel package, including two COVID-19 tests. If someone tests positive, they may need to quarantine for longer.

Red, amber, green country lists are updated regularly.  Please check details for most up-to-date information.  

Childminders are not enforcers. However, it’s important to remember that you have a duty of care for all the children and families using your service, as well as yourself and your own family. We would recommend that you speak with parents to highlight current guidance and their responsibilities, as well as your own duties and responsibilities.

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 and 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. 

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.

The Chief Medical Officer’s advice at Level 0 and beyond Level 0, is that individuals on the highest risk list can follow the same advice as for the rest of the population. This includes education and childcare.

The Scottish Government is encouraging all staff in childcare settings who have or live with someone at highest risk to use the offer of lateral flow testing. This can identify someone who is asymptomatic and may be carrying COVID-19, and then reduce the risk of passing on the virus to a family or household member who is at highest risk.

The Chief Medical Officer’s advice at Level 0 and beyond Level 0, is that children and young people on the highest risk list can follow the same advice as for the rest of the population. This includes attending education and childcare.

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. 

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.

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.

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, enabling 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.   

The UK Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension has been extended until May 2021. There will be more guidance from HMRC in due course. 

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.

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:

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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. 

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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.  

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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

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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.

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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. 

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.

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