In January, thoughts often turn to a new job or a complete change of career, with the need for a more flexible working pattern one of the top reasons for making a change.
From August 2020, the number of funded Early Learning and Childcare hours available to families will almost double from 600 to 1140 a year, giving parents and carers more choice on when and where to use it. This means there is a fantastic opportunity for professional childminders to meet the need for local flexible, high-quality childcare, but currently, there are no registered childminders working in the Clyde Gateway area.
As part of a project to help change this, SCMA is working in partnership with Jobs and Business Glasgow, Children in Scotland (staff from the CHANGE: Childcare and Nurture Glasgow East Project) and Clyde Gateway, with support from The Hunter Foundation, to provide free places on SCMA’s
Childminding Induction Support Programme, which would usually cost £200 to undertake.
Interested in our Childminding Induction Support Programme? We have confirmed dates for our induction training events within the Clyde Gateway area on 22 and 29 February (both dates must be attended). To find out more, please contact SCMA Development Officers Lisa France, on
07551886502 or Gillian Paterson on
01324 813072.
Lisa France, SCMA Child Development Officer for South Lanarkshire, said: “As the only organisation dedicated to supporting childminding in Scotland, we are very mindful of our role in helping to recruit childminders into the profession, and how we can continue to support childminders to develop their business.
“It’s a great career option for people who love to work with children, and who also require a flexible working pattern. With the expansion of
Early Learning and Childcare funded hours in Scotland, there are lots of exciting opportunities for childminders. This is a real opportunity for those thinking of a career in childminding to start their own business but also to be part of something bigger – a community of quality childcare providers in the Clyde Gateway area.”
Completion of an SCMA Childminding Induction Support Programme is an important step which is required by the Care Inspectorate as part of registration to become a childminder and helps participants to begin their new childminding career on a professional footing.
Completing the Induction Programme also meets one of the main eligibility criteria for childminders who want to deliver Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) funded hours, which can enhance earning potential and support a sustainable business model. Undertaking the Childminding Induction Programme provides a fantastic opportunity to be among the first in the area to provide this unique, high quality childcare option to children and families in the local community.
Professional childminders are dedicated to providing high-quality childcare for children and families which has many benefits. Evidence shows that childminding can help enhance early learning, confidence and social development. Being a childminder also provides the flexibility of being self-employed with the opportunity to work from home caring for children of all ages of children making a positive contribution to a child’s learning and development.
The Childminding Induction Support Programme covers development opportunities; how to register as a childminder with the Care Inspectorate; promoting a childminding business; providing a service in the local community, and confidence building. The induction also supports participants to ensure that their home meets the requirements for starting a childminding service.
Induction training needs to be completed in order for the candidate to receive an SCMA Induction to Childminding Certificate, and we are planning for our training sessions to take place in February.
Completion of the Childminding Induction Support Programme ensures that participants can access further follow-up support and training from SCMA, throughout their journey to
becoming a childminder.
Free places on the SCMA Childminding Induction Support Programme are provided for those living within the Clyde Gateway area. For further information and to discuss eligibility, contact SCMA Development Officers Lisa France, on
07551886502 or Gillian Paterson on
01324 813072.