SCMA Statement on charges against Childminder in Dunfermline

As the national professional membership organisation for childminders in Scotland, SCMA was very concerned to hear that a childminder in Dunfermline has been charged in connection with allegations of neglect and cruelty towards children. 

As this case is the subject of a live police investigation, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on any detail. However, it is important to stress that the safety and wellbeing of children is of paramount importance to all working in the childcare sector. Childminding is a registered form of childcare, with very robust child protection, safeguarding and quality assurance processes in place and as such, we would like to reassure parents, carers and the wider community that reports of this nature are extremely rare. 

All childminders in Scotland are required by law to undergo a formal registration process with the Care Inspectorate in the same way as all other registered childcare providers, and this involves the successful completion of disclosure checks (PVG and criminal record) for the childminder and their family, and home visits from the Care Inspectorate.

Childminders undertake child protection training as part of the registration process and throughout their career. They are also required to keep up-to-date with national guidance and to ensure their own Child Protection policy and procedures are reviewed and updated regularly. 
  
It should also be recognised that childminding is a high-quality childcare service – with childminders consistently achieving higher ratings across all quality criteria than ‘Daycare of Children Services’ (local authority and private nurseries) through independent inspection by the Care Inspectorate. 

SCMA will cooperate fully with the investigation into these allegations, is in contact with Fife Council and will be offering support to local childminders who may be concerned about these allegations.