It has been confirmed by the Scottish Government that from Monday 22 February, there will be a full time return of pre-school children and children in primaries 1, 2 and 3, and a part-time return for a limited number of senior phase students who need access to school for essential practical work.
Nurseries which have had to restrict their service to key workers and vulnerable children since Boxing Day will be able to re-open fully. For schools, Primary 1-3 children will be allowed to return and also some senior pupils in high school, but on a very restricted basis.
The Scottish Government issued a letter via the Care Inspectorate Provider Update emails on Tuesday, which confirmed that the current Childminding Services Guidance was being updated. This has now been published and you can access the updated guidance
here.
For the majority of childminders, we want to reassure you that there are no significant changes to your practice following this announcement, as your settings have largely been open to all families and at normal capacity throughout this time.
Importantly, blended placements can continue, but risk assessments must be refreshed for all existing blended placements and risk assessments must also be carried out for any new blended placements arising as a result of nurseries and schools re-opening.
SCMA is currently reviewing our risk assessment templates and support tools, in line with the new guidance, to ensure they are up-to-date and comply – these will be shared with members as soon as possible.
The guidance also includes a partial relaxation for larger settings (currently caring for 12 or more children) which from next Monday will now be able to accept pre-school children from all families but must still restrict school age children to key workers and vulnerable children.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive of SCMA, has recorded a video message for childminders following the publication of the updated guidance to help to explain the key points to you.
Watch now.