Play Scotland has launched its Manifesto for Play this week, advocating for children’s play opportunities and calling on all political parties to commit to supporting their ‘Ten Asks for Play’.

SCMA is currently recruiting for two posts within the Association: Services Development Manager and Area Manger (East).

Following the updated Childminding Services Guidance published by the Scottish Government on 17 February, SCMA has updated its Risk Assessment Support Tools for members.

In 2020, SCMA introduced a third course in our #ThinkSTEM series: Exploring Maths and Numeracy through Science. Thanks to funding from Education Scotland a limited number of free e-Learning spaces were made available for SCMA members, and we are now pleased to be able to make this offer again.

A route has been made available to enable childminders to access an on demand asymptomatic PCR test in such circumstances, which could provide you with reassurance when you need it.

The Scottish Government’s Childminding Services Guidance has been updated to support the wider re-opening of nurseries and schools from Monday 22 February. For the majority of childminders, who have already been able to remain open to all families, we want to reassure you that there are no significant changes to your practice, and that blended placements can still continue, but must be supported by refreshed risk assessments.

We are recruiting two part-time Childminding Development Officers, one in Aberdeen (12 hours post) and one in Glasgow (18 hours post), to support the delivery of community childminding services in the respective area.

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a further £2.2 million in funding to support the sustainability of the childminding workforce in Scotland. This is in addition to the £1 million announced last month.

The Children’s Parliament is hosting a year-long celebration of childhood with a range of events, discussions and webinars, to discover what makes a happy childhood and promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Earlier this week it was announced that routine testing will be introduced for school-based ELC and childcare staff to support the wider re-opening of childcare from 22 February. It was also confirmed that the wider rollout of this was being considered for PVI settings, without direct reference made to childminding. As a result, we have been receiving a number of enquiries from members.

Ipsos MORI is carrying out research for the Scottish Government on the benefits of childminding for children and families. The aim is to better understand how people view childminding (including childminders and parents using childminding services), the benefits for families, and how childminding meets the needs of parents and children.

Yesterday, the First Minister announced the Scottish Government’s intention that nurseries and other larger childcare settings can re-open to all pre-school children from 22 February. This is subject to continued progress in suppressing the virus and will be subject to final confirmation in two weeks’ time, on 16 February.

ELC Statistics Publication: Latest data reaffirms worsening trends and need for affirmative action on childminding

Can you help? If you’re childminder who would like to take part, you will need to be able to access to the internet and be available on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February between 6.30pm-9.30pm.