Scottish Childminding Association

Scottish Childminding Association

'' SCMA is pleased to support National Family Week as we believe family is key to building happy, confident children. ''
Maggie Simpson

Website: www.childminding.org

Organisation Information

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is the only organisation in Scotland dedicated to childminding. A childminder is someone who is registered and inspected by the Care Commission (Scotland only) who provides a flexible, home based childcare service. Over 85% of childminders in Scotland are members of SCMA.

Our Vision:

Quality Childminding . . . building confident children within a family childcare experience

Our key priorities allow this vision to be put into practice:

  1. Raising the profile of childminding and the work of the Association
  2. Improving the quality of childminding
  3. Recruiting and retaining professional, quality childminders

We achieve our key priorities by supporting our members and by campaigning both at local and national government levels for the support necessary for a high quality childminding service.

Childminding is the most diverse of the childcare options available to families as it is the only service with the flexibility to allow it to work around each individual family. SCMA has almost 5,000 members consisting of childminders and other professionals focused on building confident children within a family childcare experience.

Parents - If you are looking for a flexible childcare option that fits around your lifestyle and puts your child at the centre then select an SCMA childminder. Your child will benefit from a range of important developmental experiences such as socialising with other children and learning through active play outdoors all within a nurturing and safe family home environment.

Scottish Childminding Association is always on-hand to provide support and information to childminders, potential childminders and families looking for a suitable childminding service. We provide this support via our Helpline which is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm on 01786 449063 or on information@childminding.org.

To raise the profile of childminding and celebrate the fantastic work childminders do, SCMA hosts Childminding Day at Loudoun Castle Family Theme Park in Ayrshire each year. As a thank you to our members, they are each entitled to free entry to the park and can take along three children for free too! Last year, SCMA’s Childminding Day broke Loudoun Castle’s existing attendance record as over 5500 childminders, children and parents joined us to celebrate the work childminders do.

If you would like to find out more about becoming or finding a childminder call the SCMA Helpline on 01786 449063 or check out the website www.childminding.org