Early Adopter Communities

SCMA is working with six Early Adopter Communities (EACs) to lead on a three-year pilot project funded by the Scottish Government, to deliver the School Age Childcare Delivery Framework:

Clackmannanshire (area-wide)
Dundee (Linlathen, Mid-Craigie and Douglas)
Fife (Levenmouth)
Glasgow (East Centre, Drumchapel/Anniesland, and Southside Central)
Inverclyde (Port Glasgow, Greenock Central, Greenock South and Greenock South West)
Shetland (West Mainland and North Isles).

Childminders are at the very heart of this pilot project - and SCMA has focused on recruitment of childminders within the six EACs, as well as delivering professional learning opportunities and funded childcare placements to support families.

This graphic illustrates how the Scottish Government plans to build and deliver a system of school age childcare in Scotland.

What is the aim?

"Scotland will have a system of accessible and affordable school age childcare providing care before and after school and during the holidays for primary school children from low income households. Children will be able to access healthy and nutritious food as part of this offer." - Scottish Government speaking about the School Age Childcare Delivery Framework.

Who is it for?

Aimed at low-income families, eligibility varies by area; however, the priority groups are:

• Ethnic minority families
• Large families (three or more children)
• Families with a baby (aged under one)
• Mothers aged <25
• Families with a disabled adult or child
• Single Parents

Recruitment

Throughout this project SCMA has supported the recruitment of childminders. We have attended childcare fayres, spoken at events, including for the Department for Work and Pensions, and attended various local community events to raise awareness.

Professional Learning

We have delivered information sessions, provided online courses - and by the end of 2025 - we will have held over 15 Best Practice Workshops for childminders in the EACs.

Placements

Childminders been vital in promoting school age childcare funding to families. We are supporting targeted placements in Glasgow, Clackmannanshire and Inverclyde. This provides families with a choice of afterschool childcare and options for during the holidays.

Place-Based, People-Centred

We are gathering insights from local communities, childminders, families and children - and we are reporting these findings back to the Scottish Government.

If you'd like more information about the pilot project taking place in the six EACs, please contact lesley.morrison@childminding.org or christina.mcgrotty@childminding.org