SCMA is working collaboratively with Scottish Government to test innovative retention measures to support the childminding workforce through the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future. We’re delighted that, as part of this work, a new Self-Evaluation Toolkit resource is now available to all childminders in Scotland to support their reflection on what’s working well in their childminding setting and where any improvements could be made.
SCMA’s Self-Evaluation Toolkit was tested with childminders taking part in our funded Time Off the Floor and Mentoring pilots and we have received some lovely feedback about this resource which we’d like to share.
“These toolkit resources are incredible and will make such a difference to us all! Thanks for your hard work in producing these.”
“This toolkit is great! The layout makes it easy to use and I really like the Annual Planner - it means I know what I need to do monthly to keep on top of everything.”
“The toolkit is clear and simple for me - I have ADHD and if this was a busy layout or lots of reading, I’d be less likely to use...as it stands, I’m keen to get started! Very inclusive, love it!”
What is Self-Evaluation for Childminders?
Self-evaluation and reflection on the service provided within childminding settings is a crucial process for ensuring high standards of care and support required as a registered childcare provider. The Toolkit contains step-by-step guidance to support childminders throughout the process – with lots of handy hints and tips as well as templates.
There’s also a helpful annual planner for 2025 which provides a really simple way of keeping track of monthly priorities for self-evaluation, jotting down key dates and keeping track of progress across the year!
What’s In the Self-Evaluation Toolkit?
• Step by Step Guide to Self-Evaluation Success
• 1. How Are We Doing? My Childminding Service Checklist
• 2. How Do We Know? Self-Evaluation Evidence
• 3. What Are We Going to Do Now? Improvement Plan
• Links to Guidance andFrameworks
• Annual Planner 2025
Childminders should visit the SCMA dashboard to download the Self-Evaluation Toolkit and watch a video from Nyree Cooper, SCMA’s Quality and Learning Development Lead, where she explains more about the importance of self-evaluation and how the Toolkit has been developed to support this process for childminders.
Nyree said: “Regardless of where childminders are in their practice, it’s always good to refresh knowledge of ‘how we are doing’, ‘how do we know’ and ‘what we plan to do now’. We know childminders often seek support with self-evaluation and sometimes find it tricky to prioritise areas of their service when reflecting. This is an invaluable resource which will support childminders, providing top tips and is a simple, step-by-step guide outlining ways to record their own findings and really thinking about what works best for them as individuals.”
Accessing the Toolkit
Childminders should download the Toolkit from the SCMA dashboard and save it to a device, or it can also be printed out at home, to write on a printed copy if this is preferable.
Free Continuous Professional Learning to Support Self-Evaluation
Linked to self-evaluation, all childminders in Scotland have also recently been provided with access to free, childminder-specific continuous professional learning ‘Quality in Practice’ courses through the Quality and Learning strand of the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future. Translating Policy into Practice; Reflective Practice and Evidence in Practice can help support self-evaluation and counts towards childminders’ continual professional learning.
Find Out More About the Toolkit!
SCMA is inviting childminders to an online ‘Self-Evaluation Toolkit’ webinar, held on Microsoft Teams where we’ll introduce you to the Toolkit, guide you through the individual tools, and how to use them and we’ll provide an opportunity for questions and answers with the team. Come along and find out more about how the Self-Evaluation Toolkit will help support you in evaluating your childminding setting.
Date: Thursday, 6th February at 7.00pm on Microsoft Teams
Visit Workforce Retention to book a space on the webinar. Please note, there are 500 spaces available on this initial session, however, more workshops are being planned, which SCMA will be updating on soon.
If you experience any issues in booking onto the 6th February webinar, please email trainingbookings@childminding.org or call the Learn with SCMA team on 01786 445377 and choose option 2.