The Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors have today (Thursday 18 September) published the new Quality Improvement Framework. Its primary purpose is to support you in evaluating your childminding setting – the framework is used by inspectors to provide independent assurance about the quality of care and support you provide children and families.
You can
access the Quality Improvement Framework here, and this will be implemented and used by the Care Inspectorate for inspections from
Monday, 22 September 2025.
All childminders will have received an email from the Care Inspectorate today, highlighting and sharing the Quality Improvement Framework.
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Important! We’d like to draw your attention to two important points about the framework:
- ALL childminders will continue to receive unannounced, single inspections from the Care Inspectorate only. Although much of the new framework refers to ‘shared inspections’ - from both the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors - these do not apply to childminding settings.
- ALL childminders should self-evaluate against the quality indicators found within the childminding section content only - regardless of your business model and whether you provide non-funded/private childcare, funded ELC, school-age childcare, or a combination.
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All childminders will also be receiving further information and support from SCMA, and we’ll be sharing details about the following:
- SCMA refreshed Self-Evaluation Toolkit: aligns with the Quality Improvement Framework and guides you through reflecting on your practice, which forms a key part of inspection with the Care Inspectorate.
- Upcoming Live Webinar: join us for a childminding-specific webinar designed to help you navigate the new Quality Improvement Framework and get the most out of your Self Evaluation Toolkit.
Keep an eye on your email inbox for the latest news and information! Take some time to get familiar with the Quality Improvement Framework, explore our refreshed Self-Evaluation Toolkit, and book your place at our upcoming webinar.