Free help to launch your own childminding business

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) are working in partnership with Orkney Islands Council to launch a free training and support programme aimed at encouraging folk to become new professional childminders, in a bid to help address childcare shortages in the county.

The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is being delivered in its second year by SCMA with support from the Council’s Early Years’ Service and the Local Employability Partnership and covers everything a new childminder will need to do to achieve registration.

Fully funded by the Scottish Government, the programme aims to support an additional seven childminders to start up in business across Orkney.

The Council’s Service Manager (Community Learning, Development & Employability), Kerry Spence, said: “This programme fits with the Local Employability Partnership Plan to improve employment/career opportunities and outcomes and also the Council’s Delivery Plan 2023-2028. This includes ‘encouraging business start-up and development’ which, in turn, will provide an opportunity to increase the number of childminders available for working parents.”   

Currently Orkney has 19 registered childminders – down from 30 in 2016.

The Council’s Service Manager for Early Learning and Childcare, Catherine Diamond, said: “Candidates who apply and are accepted on to the programme would be supported by SCMA from their first enquiry, through induction training and the registration process. 

“They would also be encouraged to attend our regular learning and development sessions with other childminders in Orkney who have done the job for many years.   

"We are particularly keen to encourage people who live in rural areas or on the outer or inner isles to apply as this is where folk are especially short of childcare.” 

The SCMA Induction Support Programme offers: 

• Online webinars and videos designed to support with practice development and Care Inspectorate applications  
• One-to one support from a dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer to provide ongoing childminding specific advice and guidance relating to registration processes and setting up your childminding business. 
• Continuous Professional Learning courses 

Upon registration with the Care Inspectorate: 

•  £750.00 Business Start Up grant administered by SCMA 
• Full membership and insurance for their first year as a Childminder 
• Access to SCMA membership dashboard and resources 
• Promotion of their business via the SCMA ‘Find a Childminder’ search engine
• Plus you will be able to join Orkney’s local childminder network for support, advice and guidance. 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Gwenda Shearer, said: “There’s never been a better time to become a childminder -  you’ll be taking advantage of free training and support and you’ll be helping meet the needs of working parents in the county who want to get back to paid employment.” 

All childminders in Scotland need to be registered with the Care Inspectorate and this programme will also help to support new childminders through this process. 

Lisa MacKay, Senior Operations Manager with SCMA said: “Childminding is a rewarding career choice which also provides flexibility to earn an income while working around your own family. We’re delighted to be involved in supporting new childminders in Orkney at the very start of their journey. 

“We know there are some specific challenges with access to local, high-quality, flexible childcare in remote and rural communities such as the Orkney Islands. 

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Orkney Islands Council to help support people who may wish to embark on a new career in childminding – it’s important that the childminding workforce increases to enable parents and carers to access this nurturing form of childcare for their family if they wish." 

To register your interest, head to  https://getstarted.childminding.org