Are you looking for how to become a childminder in Scotland? Then this article is just for you. A childminder is someone who is employed to provide basic everyday care for children when their parents or guardians are not around.
A childminder has the responsibility of cooking for the children, feeding them and making sure they eat as they should, making them as comfortable as possible, and meeting a child’s general needs.
So if you are interested in caring for children and watching them thrive, considering a childminder job is a good idea. Before we look at the steps on how to become a childminder in Scotland, let us look at the responsibilities of a Childminder.
The Responsibilities of a Childminder
A childminder:
- Works together with the parents and guardians of the children to provide the children with everything they need to be okay.
- Ensures that the children in his/her care feel safe and comfortable.
- Plans and feeds the children with their dietary needs in mind.
- Provides the children with recreational and educational activities to enable good development in these children.
- Aids the children in early learning.
- Goes to seminars and takes courses on effective childminding to upgrade and do better as a childminder.
- Follows the guidelines of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
- Makes sure paperwork is in order, secure and up to date, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation guidelines which are:
- Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
- Purpose limitation.
- Data minimization.
- Accuracy.
- Storage limitation.
- Integrity and confidentiality (security)
- Accountability.
- Works in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework of; Learning and Development, Assessment, Safeguarding, and Welfare.
- Listens to and carries out the requests of the parents regarding the children’s religious beliefs, diets, and routines; and talks to these parents about their children, what they observe, and all.
It is necessary for you to get registered as a childminder if you:
- Provide childcare services for children from 0-15 years
- Provide childminding services from your home
- Provide childminding services for more than two hours every
- Accept payment in whatever form
If you desire to become a childminder in Scotland, you will have to register with the Care Inspectorate.
With childminding, a childminder will have the opportunity to:
- Gain new skills and qualifications
- Contribute positively to the development of the children
- Be a boss of his/her own
- Work from the comfort of his/her home
How to Become a Childminder in Scotland-The Best Steps
- Have The Relevant Information
- Complete an Induction Training
- Register
- Complete the Form
- Completion of Application
- Go Through a Disclosure Scotland Check
- Visit from the Care Inspectorate
- Scottish Childminding Association Membership
Step 1: Have The Relevant Information
As a childminder, you’ll need to be up to date with information regarding this job. You need to get every information that is necessary before you go ahead to fill out and complete the application form.
Step 2: Complete an Induction Training
A childminder will be expected by the Care Inspectorate to complete Induction Training which is part of the registration.
It is vital to register for Induction training at the beginning of your registration process. This is going to help you fill out and complete the Care Inspectorate application form.
This training is usually in two forms: work-based and e-learning. This training should include everything ranging from legal requirements of childminding, to how a childminder can deliver the best for the children he/she is responsible for the mind.
The inspectorate expects the childminder to get to know how he/she is to carry out the services needed from a childminder, and these services include policies, procedures, and statements.
A childminder is expected to cover subjects such as accidents and incidents, child protection, medication, infection control, and encouraging good behavior in children.
Step 3: Register
You’ll have to apply online at Careinspectorate.com to register as a Childminder in Scotland. Or you can alternatively call 0345 600 9527 to apply.
Step 4: Complete the Form
You’ll have to fill out the form made available to register as a childminder. In filling out this form, depending on how big your services are, check if planning permission is needed.
You’ll have to check with your local Council Planning Office to inquire if planning permission is needed.
A landlord’s permission will be required if renting is involved. The Strong Foundations Pack which will be made available at the Induction Training Program will guide and help with this part of the form.
Step 5: Completion of Application
You’ll have to complete your application with the Care Inspectorate. You’ll also have to pay a registration fee which is £28 currently.
At this stage, any information needed from you by the Care Inspectorate would have to be provided.
You’ll have four weeks to do so and if you fail to make the information available, within this time, your application would likely be rejected.
Step 6: Go Through a Disclosure Scotland Check
In a disclosure check, you’ll have to provide sensitive personal information regarding yourself. This check shares certain information concerning the criminal records of people.
This aids to approve the applications of the right people for the childminding job. This check costs £25. You’ll also become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme as part of your registration process which is £59.
Step 7: Visit from the Care Inspectorate
Once your application has been submitted and you’ve paid your registration fee, you’ll be contacted by the Care Inspectorate at some point to schedule a visit to the home where you’ll be working as a childminder.
On this visit, the Care Inspectorate will engage you in a discussion on how you’ll do a good job of childminding.
They also make sure your home is safe and up to the standard of having people’s children around. On this visit, the Care Inspectorate looks at:
- How the space is in and out
- How safe and healthy the space is
- Provision of equipment, toys and learning activities
- Availability of provisions for special-needs kids
- Pets and how they are kept
- Smoking arrangements
- Availability of insurance
When your application has been completed, the necessary information provided, and the Care Inspectorate has carried out the required checks, it would be decided on, whether to grant or reject a registration.
Step 8: Scottish Childminding Association Membership
The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is located in Stirling, Scotland. It is a charity and membership organization that gives support, information, and training to childminders in Scotland.
According to SCMA, membership in a trusted organization like SCMA gives you peace of mind, invaluable support, and a chance to make a difference. It says that you’re professional, informed, and committed to quality.
The SCMA supports childminders in Scotland and helps them to make great childminding services available to families and their children. This organization gives childminders credibility as professionals in the childcare sector.
A childminder who is a member of the Scottish Childminding Association enjoys certain benefits like:
- A Legal Advice Line which is made available by ARAG. It has qualified solicitors as staff, and they provide practical legal advice which is telephone-based. This advice would be in relation to misunderstandings with parents and guardians, including debts owed to a childminder.
- Confidential Counseling Helpline, with qualified counselors as staff.
- HR, Tax, and Business Advice Line.
- Availability of an online portal, with legal documents and templates that can be customized.
- Access to Crisis Communication Advice Service, which will aid in protecting the name and reputation of your childminding business when issues arise.
You’ll also have to get Public Liability Insurance. This insurance made available for SCAM members will cover the childminder, the kids, and the business.
This is available for new and existing members of the Scottish Childminding Association.
The Public Liability Insurance policy covers just a childminder and up to two staff/assistants/students. If there are staff above this number, further coverage can be worked out.
It is important to note that you’ll need Employer’s Liability Insurance if you have assistants, students, or volunteers in your childminding home.
If the staff is paid more than £120 weekly, you as a childminder will have to provide your ERN or PAYE reference.
Once you are done with these steps, you are ready to become a certified childminder in Scotland. You can now create awareness about your business.
What Qualifications do I Need to Become a Childminder in Scotland?
To become a childminder doesn’t require special experience or qualification. You just have to complete the registration process required of you.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Childminder in Scotland?
It takes 3-6 months to become a registered childminder in Scotland and within time, a childminder will have to complete a childminding induction training.
What is the Purpose of Registration?
The reasons for registering as a childminder in Scotland are:
- To make sure childminding services meet the required standards.
- To make sure people’s children are safe
- To reassure parents and guardians
How Many Children Can a Childminder Look After at Once?
A childminder in Scotland can take care of up to 6 children below 12 years of age of which 3 children can be under school starting ages and just one child can be a baby under a year old. At the discretion of the Care Inspectorate, exceptions can be made.
Can I Run a Childminding Business from My Home?
Yes, you can do your childminding business from your own home. Although you’ll have to pay registration fees and take training courses, starting up this business is not as expensive as starting a lot of other businesses.
What are the Qualities a Childminder Must Have?
As a childminder who is registered, you need to have certain skills and qualities. These include:
- Love for kids
- Commitment to making a good standard of childcare services available
- Being patient
- Having a sense of humor
- Ability to care for kids of all ages
- Possessing good communication skills
- Meeting Minimum Standard requirements
- Making working hours favorable for parents of the children
- Ability to meet every child’s individual needs to aid their development
- Ability to manage the business side of childminding
Is Childminding Profitable?
Childminding is profitable even though many people are becoming childminders. Parents would always need the services of childminders who are good at what they do.
Everyone would want their children to be well taken care of. So to do well in this business, you should be able to meet the needs of the parents and meet legal requirements as well.
You’ll also have to know how children behave and how best to handle these different behaviors and characters, and know to interact with kids who have special needs.
Childminder Rates in Scotland
The Average cost of a childminder’s service in Scotland is £4.29 per hour according to the statistics from SCMA.
Do Childminders Pay Tax?
Childminders in Scotland pay tax because having a business as this means you are self-employed. And being self-employed means that a childminder is a sole trader and has the responsibility for paying tax in the business. What are your thoughts on our steps on how to become a childminder in Scotland? Please leave a comment below.
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References
- Www.childminding.org -Professional childminders work from their own home to provide a flexible, high-quality childcare service in a family setting.
- Www.google.com-How to become a childminder
- Www.twinkl.com.ng-What is a Childminder?
- Www.gov.uk-Register as a childminder (Scotland)
- Www.childminding.org -Public Liability Insurance