Earlier today, the Deputy First Minister announced that the Scottish Government will:
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make temporary financial support available to private and voluntary sector day care of children providers, and childminders currently providing childcare to 12 or more children, who have remained open for key worker and vulnerable children during the period of the temporary restrictions.
SCMA welcomes the confirmation of support for larger settings, as this is something which we have been working to redress given the need for these settings to follow the ELC guidance along with nurseries and other childcare settings, but without being able to access the same financial support.
We are also encouraged by the recognition that the wider childminding sector is in need of further financial support. We have continued to engage with Scottish Government throughout the pandemic and made further representation just before Christmas. The detail of the funding is yet to be confirmed but SCMA will be working closely with Scottish Government and will update members as soon as possible.
In the meantime, further information can be found on the Scottish Government website here.