Potential for Over 2000 New Childminding Spaces Across Scotland
A Scottish Government-funded programme aimed at strengthening Scotland’s childminding workforce is delivering encouraging early results, reaching a significant milestone as the 200th new childminder to be recruited through the programme has registered a business in Scotland.
A further 277 recruits are currently working through the process towards registration and crucially, this has the potential to create over 2000 new childminding spaces for families across the country.*
The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), delivered by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), was launched in 2024 as a three-year national recruitment and retention initiative. Backed by a further £1.37 million from the Scottish Government for 2026-27, the programme entered its third year this April.
Demand to join the profession remains strong, with this time of year proving to be a peak time for people exploring a career in childminding, as SCMA sees around a 25% rise in enquiries during summer.
To celebrate summer holidays with childminders and showcase the fantastic creativity, warmth and community spirit at the heart of the profession, and to inspire more people to consider a career in the profession - SCMA is launching a nationwide creative competition inviting current, registered childminders in Scotland to submit their ‘mindees’ drawings that celebrating childminding, and selected artwork will be chosen to feature in SCMA’s national digital advertising campaign.
Candidates access package of support including a minimum £750 start-up grant funded by the Scottish Government, training, and one-to-one support from a dedicated SCMA workforce officer.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive of SCMA, said: “SCMA is committed to leading nationally on the development of a sustainable childminding workforce. We’re delighted to see such a positive impact that is helping to create a practical solution for working parents in recruiting more childminders that can provide high-quality, flexible childcare in their area.
One of the fantastic benefits of childminding is the flexibility it offers working parents. Childminders can also care for a mix of ages of children in a home from home setting, often providing before and after school care and in some cases, weekend childcare – flexibility not provided through other childcare options such as nurseries.
Michelle Deans, from Irvine in North Ayrshire, was delighted to be confirmed as the 200th new recruit through PSCF and is currently preparing to open her new childminding business before schools return in August. Word has quickly spread locally that Michelle is now a registered childminder and has been “inundated” with requests for childcare spaces. Capitalising on the flexibility which a childminding career provides, she’s choosing to combine childminding four days per week with her other role as a foster carer. As part of her business model, Michelle will also be partnering with North Ayrshire Council as an ELC provider – which means parents are able to choose to use their ELC funded hours with her if they wish.
“I would thoroughly recommend anyone thinking of becoming a childminder to approach SCMA and find out more about the support available to get started including the business start-up grant, they were brilliant at guiding me through the process every step of the way. I love working with children and I can’t wait to get started – I’m really looking forward to providing a much-needed childcare service in the local community while building in flexibility that supports my own family’s needs too.”
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Siobhian Brown MSP, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is continuing to support the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future. Childminders are an important part of Scotland’s thriving childcare sector, playing a crucial role in supporting children, families, businesses, and by extension, the wider economy. Since the programme launched in 2024, it has supported over 600 candidates with childminder induction training, with 200 new childminding businesses now registered with the Care Inspectorate.
“I’d like to thank the SCMA and participating local authorities for their efforts in widening the reach of the programme and helping to make a positive difference in communities by increasing access to childminding across Scotland.”
People can
submit an enquiry at any point through the website, and regular on-line
‘Discover Childminding’ sessions are also a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and meet SCMA's childminding experts, which has shown to be an important way of engaging a wide range of potential new recruits to the workforce from all over Scotland.
Alongside recruitment, PSCF is piloting new retention measures designed to tackle some of the main pressures facing childminders. These include funded professional learning, mentoring support and “Time Off the Floor” — a model allowing childminders to dedicate paid time to paperwork, training and professional development without losing income.
*Based on Care Inspectorate figures showing childminders care for an average of 6.9 children per setting