Childminders who deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) are invited to take part in an online survey, to provide information about the costs associated with providing funded ELC. If you are currently delivering funded ELC, you will have already received information about this research from your local authority. SCMA is strongly encouraging all childminders who deliver funded ELC to take part in this research.
*** Deadline Extended: The closing date for this survey is now Friday 18 July 2025. ***
Who is carrying out this research
This survey is being carried out by Diffley Partnership, an independent research company, on behalf of Scottish Government and COSLA. It is intended to be completed by all private, third sector and childminding providers who deliver funded early learning and childcare (ELC) and is an opportunity to ensure that your local authority takes local sustainable rate setting decisions based on as accurate and up to date information as possible. SCMA was consulted on the development of this survey which started in a much longer and more detailed all-provider format which we believed was based too much on nursery information collection. While the researchers were not able to make all changes suggested by us and by some members who also contributed to testing it, due to the need to capture consistent data across different childcare providers, we do believe that this childminding-specific version is much improved.
Why is this research important for me?
This is your opportunity to ensure that your local authority is able to draw on accurate and up-to-date information from you. The information you supply will inform local sustainable rates-setting decisions, the development of new guidance, and will also help to inform the Scottish Government and COSLA’s future financial planning.
Scottish Government has made a commitment to ensuring that all providers are paid the Real Living Wage while delivering funded hours and they provide local authorities with a top-up of funding to support this, given that some sustainable rates paid to providers (including childminders) would not be high enough to achieve this.
The last two Cost Collection exercises undertaken by the Scottish Government and COSLA have not attracted high enough survey response levels from childminders to accurately inform both the setting of local sustainable rates and the top-up required. As such, the current top-up has had to be developed from nursery information.
Why is this research being carried out?
Childminding-specific data is needed to help accurately inform sustainable rate setting in Scotland. SCMA has been involved in the development of this survey to ensure it is relevant to childminding in Scotland and the services you provide.
What about data protection?
If you have any queries about data protection, Diffley’s data protection statement is available to read here. It is SCMA’s understanding that no personal, individual financial or identifiable information will be shared by the researchers with any other party. Local authorities will only receive high-level aggregate/collected summary reports. It is clearly an individual decision for those childminders if you wish to participate in this exercise, however, SCMA would encourage participation in order that childminders are paid more accurately to reflect the actual costs of delivering their practice.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about the research and data protection HERE.
Do I need anything to complete this survey?
Before you begin the survey, it’s best to be prepared. You will need to have a few things to hand before you start – this will make the process quicker and easier for you. Please read guidance for completing the survey
HERE, which lists the questions and suggests you will want to have to-hand. This includes information such as your register and details of the number of funded ELC children in your service, details about your premises, and your accounting and financial records.
Should I complete this survey?
We would strongly encourage childminders involved in funded ELC to complete this survey. The information you submit will be confidential and anonymous – and only high-level data will be shared with local authorities.
If you haven’t already completed the survey,
CLICK HERE to take part.
The closing date for responses is
Friday 18 July 2025 (extended deadline).