Recruitment & Retention Measures Bringing Childminders Together
Two childminders who met through participating in retention measures to support the workforce, have been reflecting on their journey as part of this innovative work.
The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future, (PSCF), launched in June 2024, is now recruiting childminders in 30 local authorities, with retention measures such as funded Time Off the Floor, Mentoring and Quality & Learning.
Liz Creelie, from Edinburgh, got started in her new childminding career in 2024, and credits the support available through PSCF, including a £750 start up grant, one-to-one support and free training for helping her switch her career, enabling her to enjoy flexible working from home, providing high-quality care for children. As a new childminder, Liz has since gone on to experience the benefits of SCMA’s retention trials, by participating in the mentoring pilot. Liz was paired with Leigh-Anne Anderson from Falkirk, who has been childminding for 21 years.
Childminders from 17 local authority areas are participating in the mentoring pilot, which is helping to deliver more practical support around workloads and professional development. Mentoring can help build confidence and develops a valuable network of support. Both mentors and mentees are paid for their time and meet regularly on-line to discuss their professional practice and development, as well as attending group development sessions led by SCMA, fostering a wider network of support.
Liz said: “As a fairly new childminder, mentoring has been so beneficial to me. I’m really enjoying my new career and I’ve loved meeting Leigh-Anne – she is a very experienced and has been incredibly helpful and supportive. It’s been so worthwhile – you can always learn something new by talking things through.”
Mentor, Leigh-Anne Anderson, works full-time as a childminder, and is registered as a partner provider with Falkirk Council to deliver funded early learning and childcare hours. “I’m lucky to have a very active and supportive childminding circle in my area but it’s always good to be able to talk about good practice with other childminders, and particularly because Liz is in a different area from me. Using these opportunities to talk things over helps us to deliver a service that’s tailored to each child and family. The thing I love most about my job is having an ‘extended’ family, and supporting children and watching them grow is really special.”
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, SCMA, said: “SCMA is committed to leading nationally on the development of a sustainable childminding workforce and I’m delighted to see such positive examples of the ways our retention pilots are delivering such practical support to childminders.