Learn with SCMA

Improving practice and seeking to achieve the best possible outcomes for children is what makes childminding such a high-quality service. As such, the professional growth of childminders is very important to SCMA.  We are proud of the role we play in promoting childminding as a high-quality childcare service and helping our members be the best childminders they can be - supporting the on-going professional learning needs of childminders across Scotland.

Childminders are responsible for keeping their Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) up-to-date and for continually building on their professional growth and CPL. Our team has developed a range of learning resources to help childminders to build upon their existing skills and knowledge. View our range of Learn with SCMA courses.

Are you a funded ELC provider? 

Childminders delivering funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) must also follow the National Standard and allocate 12 hours per year to your CPL. For further information visit our ELC pages.

Looking for First Aid Training?

SCMA is pleased to be working in partnership with St Andrew’s First Aid to offer our members access to First Aid Training. Find out more about First Aid Training

Additional Learning Opportunities for Childminders

There are a range of additional projects and learning opportunities to support childminders with their CPL, which help you support the learning and development of your minded children: 

Happy Teeth: As part of SCMA's three-year Happy Teeth project, funded by the Scottish Government’s Oral Health Community Challenge Fund, we are ran a series of virtual interactive sessions for childminders and their minded children called ‘Brush with Freddy’ to encourage children to find the fun in brushing their teeth. Read more about Happy Teeth.

#ThinkSTEM: SCMA worked alongside the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to develop a range of STEM-based CPL courses, which are available for SCMA members to access online via our easy-to-use e-Learning platform or as Interactive/Virtual Learning. Read more about #ThinkSTEM.

In addition, the Scottish Government has developed a suite of five free online CPL modules to provide focused learning on a range of topics for the wider childcare sector, that childminders may find useful. The modules are accessible as virtual and distance models, providing flexible and affordable learning for all childcare professionals. The full suite of modules can be found HERE.