New Childminding Setting in Shetland – A Family Focused Career Change
Lois Smith, from Hamnavoe in Shetland, worked as an assistant manager in a pharmacy and when she had her first child six years ago, then chose to become a stay-at-home mum. Now with two young children, Lois decided she’d like to start a new, flexible career working with children in order to follow her passion, but in a job that still enables her to be there for her own family too. Aware of the demand for childcare locally in Shetland, she began to think about becoming a childminder.
Having researched childminding and what this could mean for her family, Lois knew this transition would provide a flexible career path, with the freedom to have a family life too.
Lois credits a package of support available in Shetland through the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), as being invaluable in helping her to move forward, and would recommend anyone thinking about getting started to see if they could be eligible. Shetland Council is one of 27 local authorities in Scotland working in partnership with the Scottish Childminding Association, (SCMA), and the Scottish Government on the PSCF, which aims to grow the childminding workforce.
Training to become a childminder
The childminding workforce is incredibly varied, people have usually had other careers and life experience before deciding they’d like to become a childminder. You don’t need to have previous childcare experience but it’s essential that you have a passion for working with and supporting the learning and development of children. A minimum £750 start up grant is available, as well as free childminder-specific training. One-to-one support from a dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer provides support every step of the way, through the registration process with the Care Inspectorate, and beyond.
Lois said: “I received a business-start up grant, training and one-to-one support which was so helpful. The SCMA childminding induction course was excellent and focused on three areas of running a childminding business; working in partnership with parents and also on child protection. All of this helped prepare me to start working with children and I felt really confident and prepared after completing the induction. I really love my new job and that I’m able to provide support for children and families locally.”
Flexible Childcare for Parents in Shetland
The availability of additional childcare in rural and remote areas such as Shetland is crucial in enabling parents to find work and stay in work. Lois now combines caring for her own children with childminding part-time in Hamnavoe. She’s focused on providing a nurturing, home-from-home childminding setting tailored to not only the children, but crucially, that also provides flexible childcare in the community. One parent who needed childcare locally is unable to drive and Lois decided to offer a drop-off and pick up service as part of her business model in order to provide a flexible service. This practical support has enabled the parent to begin a new job at the local hospital – which she could not have done if it wasn’t for Lois and her childminding setting.
Lois said: “One of the perks of running my own business is being able to choose what hours I work, and the service I offer to parents. It’s a close-knit community and I love that I can offer a pick-up and drop-off service that’s really helped to support someone locally to be able to work.”
Work / Life Balance & Family Life
Lois registered as a childminder in February 2025 and is looking to grow her new business over time. In the future, she’s keen to see how becoming a ‘partner provider’ with Shetland Council (where a childminder provides funded ELC for parents as part of their business model) could help to support her business sustainability, but for now, is happy finding her feet in childminding and is enjoying the balance her new career move brings to her own home life too.
“My partner works as an air traffic controller at Sumburgh Airport, so family life also has to fit around his shifts too. For me, childminding has provided a ‘win-win’ – it’s given me the flexibility I need, to be there for my own children while following this new career path I’m so passionate about.”
A spokesperson for Shetland Council said, “Access to childcare is vital for families in Shetland. Childcare supports families, communities and the local economy. High quality childcare can also have a positive impact on children’s development. Shetland Islands Council supports childminding services and is involved in the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future.”
For more information about becoming a childminder in Shetland, visit www.childminding.org/getstarted
WATCH:‘More childminders are needed in Scotland’ Become a Childminder in Scotland – SCMA