Scottish Childminding Association

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day 💜

Overwhelm and anxiety can sometimes rise to the surface, especially when you're running your own business and taking care of others.

Today the focus is on YOU and YOUR mental health.

Check in with how you're feeling and do things to make a positive difference to your headspace. How about...
🟣 Talking to others about how you feel
🟣 Do something that makes you feel good
🟣 Look up resources from Mental Health Foundation for tips
🟣 Get outside and walk in the fresh air

💜 Children's Mental Health 💜

Our 20 minute course on 'Mental Health Awareness and Young People' is available FREE for all SCMA members via Flick Learning, which you can access on your Membership Dashboard.

The Mental Health Foundation website also has many resources to help children with their mental health, to create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

🔗 Visit https://f.mtr.cool/pp39b1vx6b for more tips on how to get involved and prioritise your mental health today.

08/10/2026

This week is and today's discussion topic is tackling child poverty.

Last week, we launched the new Childcare Support Fund available to childminders supporting families in (or at risk of) poverty. The Fund can be used for a short period of time to support families to find work, improve their circumstances or help reduce financial pressures during times of challenge or transition - aiming to alleviate the pressures of childcare costs and provide support for low-income families.

For more information and how to apply, please visit our website here: https://f.mtr.cool/6v3of8bn8a

You can find out more about Challenge Poverty Week, here: https://f.mtr.cool/aqvwfaqa6v

07/10/2026

SCMA statement on childminder found guilty of neglect -

SCMA was shocked and saddened by this case. Our thoughts go out to all the families who have been affected. We would wish to stress that incidents of this nature are extremely rare and are not reflective of childminding. It is important that learning is taken from this case and that the actions of one individual are not allowed to undermine the high-quality support provided by the childminding workforce to families around Scotland. Read our full statement below:

“SCMA was shocked and saddened by this case. Our thoughts go out to all the families who have been affected, but we would wish to stress that incidents of this nature are extremely rare and we do not believe it is in any way reflective of childminding.

05/10/2026

ICYMI - last week we sent SCMA members October's edition of Childminding News - packed with everything you need to know as a childminder in Scotland.

From industry news, and new funding opportunities for families to Continuous Professional Learning updates - 'Childminding News' rounds up all the latest information to make sure you don't miss out on important updates!

Childminding News is published on the first day of every month (or first Monday, if the first falls on a weekend), and contains essential reading for SCMA childminding members in Scotland 😃

05/10/2026

Every childminding setting is unique, and this is what makes YOU so special. But you all have one common goal – to support children to be the best they can be! 🚀✨

🤝Remember, SCMA are here for you, every step of your childminding journey, to offer support, advice and sometimes even just a friendly ear if that's what you need. You can call our helpline between Monday-Friday 10am - 4pm (01786 449063); or head over to your Membership Dashboard at any time to browse the resources and Professional Learning courses available to you.

02/10/2026

This we are sharing a lovely conversation we recently had from one of our childminding members up in Wick!

We were delighted when Allison got in touch with us to thank the team for the training and resources for the new Quality Improvement Framework as she said they really helped her to have a positive inspection, feeling organised and show more structure and confidence with her paperwork.

Allison told us that she picked out the bits that were relevant to her - being able to adapt the resources to suit her needs, and showing her personal development is what impressed the inspector. She could highlight her completed training on the Learning Log, and was able show the evidence that backed up the knowledge she had gained.

🗨️ "The evidencing made all the difference"

The biggest difference Allison found was displaying her evidence. Being a childminder of 30 years' experience, she is doing everything naturally already! Having the self-evaluation tools to get everything from in her head, onto paper and display boards helped her feel confident in being able to articulate that with the Care Inspectorate. Seeing the work and learning outcomes on display also delighted the children and parents as a reminder of all the hard work they have been doing.

Quote from Care Inspectorate report:
🗨️"The childminder was a highly reflective and aspirational practitioner. They regularly evaluated the quality of the service and actively sought guidance, research and best practice information to enhance children's experiences. Self-evaluation was embedded in everyday practice and drew meaningfully on the views of children and families to inform developments."

Following Allison's recent inspection, she received all 6's across the board! Huge well done, Allison - you should be incredibly proud! 🥳💕

01/10/2026

Last week, SCMA's Helpline team met with Sue and Dee from Morton Michel to refresh our knowledge on what is available to members as part of SCMA Membership, which automatically includes Practitioner Insurance.

There are a number of reasons we refer childminders to Morton Michel, here are a few things you might not know you have access to....

• FREE Legal Advice Line provided by ARAG, staffed by qualified solicitors providing practical telephone-based legal advice relating to contractual disputes with parents and money owed to you.
• 24/7 Confidential Counselling Helpline, staffed by qualified counsellors.
• Tax, HR and Business Advice Line, staffed by experts to help you navigate matters relating to your business.
• Access to an Online Portal, with customisable legal documentation and templates.
• Crisis Communication Advice Service, to help protect your business reputation in the event of adverse publicity.

As always, visit your Membership Dashboard to explore everything available to you as a valued member of SCMA 💙

30/09/2026

🚨New Childminding Matters episode out now!

Episode 5, Part One: Partnering with Parents

Exploring how working with parents can build strong, positive relationships, creating better communication and support for children and their families.❤️

👉 Join Nyree Cooper, SCMA’s Learning & Development Lead, alongside special guests;
Kim, who is a Childminder in North Highlands, and Gillian Paterson & Hazel Mackie, who are Childminding Membership Support Officers with SCMA.

👂Listen now via the Webinars section in your members dashboard for top tips and strategies on working with parents in your childminding setting:https://f.mtr.cool/sy1nrejio9

29/09/2026

LAUNCHED TODAY🚀: Childcare Support Fund

All SCMA members will have received an email from us earlier today advising that funded childminding placements are now available for some low-income families across Scotland, through the Scottish Government’s Childcare Support Fund.

If you have a family in your setting who you feel would benefit from short-term relief from childcare costs, please visit our dedicated webpage for full details of the eligibility criteria and how you can apply on behalf of the family: https://f.mtr.cool/qf9o5aud9n

28/09/2026

📍Thinking of becoming a childminder in Shetland?

Come along to our in-person drop-in events and find out how Childminding could be the new career for you!

Our Workforce Officer Claire , Childminding Development Officer, Christina and Charlie Bear will be there to answer any questions you might have about childminding in Shetland.💙🧸

We hope to see you there!