A key outcome from the recent Childminding Summit, held jointly by SCMA and the Scottish Government on 27 March 2019, is that SCMA will now seek to work more closely with local authorities across Scotland to explore how childminding can be included as an option for funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) hours.
The Childminding Summit, held in Stirling, was organised to ensure Scottish local authority staff had the opportunity to learn more about the potential role childminding can play within their expansion plans for funded ELC hours. It was attended by staff from 31 local authorities and included a series of presentations and workshops aimed at sharing good practice.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, SCMA, said: "We were delighted to see such a high level of attendance and engagement from local authority staff. The Summit provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the role of childminding within ELC expansion plans. It is now clear that local authority staff are seeking clarity on a number of areas and this will remain a focus in the months ahead. We now look forward to working more closely with Local Authorities across Scotland.”
The Childminding Summit focused on exploring how childminding services are reflected within local authority expansion plans, what further barriers exist to involving childminders in the delivery of funded ELC (including parental perceptions) and what further action can be collectively taken to promote childminding as a positive choice for parents when accessing their child’s 1140 entitlement. Topics discussed at the event included:
•
Commissioning practices/Scotland Excel guidance
•
National Standard (Funding Follows the Child approach)
•
Under Three’s
•
Qualification/accreditation requirements
•
Parents/families
As a follow-up event, a future Partnership Forum is to be scheduled for the autumn and is due to be held on a Saturday. This interactive event will be open to childminders and local authorities, who will be given the opportunity to share good practice examples. SCMA will provide further information to childminders when available.