Childminder Gillian Ford, from Glasgow on using SCMA’s Self-Evaluation Toolkit
In 2025, SCMA launched our ‘Self-Evaluation Toolkit’ - a practical, easy-to-use resource designed to guide childminders through the Self Evaluation process with clarity and confidence.
This resource was developed through the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future and its ‘Quality & Learning’ strand, which is focused on providing further professional learning resources to support quality improvement for childminders. The Toolkit has now been refreshed following the launch of the Care Inspectorate’s Quality Inspection Framework in September 2025 and this updated version is now available to all childminders in Scotland via the SCMA dashboard.
Accessing this resource can help support your reflections about your service, helping you to identify what’s working well and where any improvements can be made.
What is self-evaluation?
This is the process of reflecting on your childminding setting to ensure you’re delivering the high standards of care and support expected as a registered childcare provider. Our Self Evaluation Toolkit supports you in:
- Linking self-evaluation directly to national frameworks and guidance.
- Streamlining evidence-gathering requirements.
- Providing step-by-step guidance through each stage of the process.
- Offering practical templates, hints, and tips to make reflection easier and more meaningful.
We’re delighted that an amazing 3,000 childminders have downloaded the Self Evaluation Toolkit from the SCMA dashboard for use since it was launched originally – many have told us it’s helped boost confidence, and that they feel more prepared for inspection.
Gillian Ford has been childminding in Glasgow for 20 years and is. She describes the Toolkit as “invaluable” explaining how it has transformed her approach to self-evaluation and quality assurance. She often found paperwork “overwhelming and difficult to manage.” However, since she started using the Self Evaluation Toolkit – Gillian has been able to clearly identify areas for improvement, map out an action plan, and provide strong evidence of continuous development. Gillian said:
“Childminders just can’t go wrong if they use this!”
Support in preparing for Inspection
Gillian found that the process of her recent inspection was much smoother, that the inspector “was able to access all of her reflections and planning, because it was all written down in the Toolkit.” The Improvement Plan provided a clear picture of her professional practice over time which was easily accessible and clear for the inspector. “It is so nice to have a document that is not only practically helpful, but one that is there for us, as childminders. Honestly, I can’t tell you how valuable this is.”
When childminders are supported with the right resources, self-evaluation becomes more than just a requirement, it becomes a really powerful tool to help with our professional growth.”
- Visit your SCMA dashboard to download the Self Evaluation Toolkit.
- Visit the SCMA retention web page for more information on our work to support the childminding workforce Workforce Retention – Scottish Childminding Association