Becoming a Childminder
To become a childminder you must, by law (The Regulation of Care Act 2001), register with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, the Care Commission. Anyone offering a childcare service in their own home for more than two hours a day for children under 16 years must be registered.

The Registration Process
The registration process is wide-ranging and rigorous, involving references, a health assessment, and police check on the potential childminder and every other adult over 16 in their household. The potential childminder's home is inspected too, to ensure it is a safe and suitable environment for children. View the Care Commission website, Childminding – A Guide To Registering.

The registration process can take anything from six weeks to six months from the Care Commission receiving a correctly completed application form. Please don’t be put off by the thought of undertaking this process as help is readily available from SCMA. We have a team of dedicated staff on our Helpline to support you.

Training for Childminders
SCMA Induction training may also be available in your area. This training allows you to make an informed choice that childminding is the right career option and equips you with all the knowledge you will require to complete the application process to become a childminder.

After Registration
Following registration, the Care Commission carries out an annual inspection to monitor standards and premises. Childminders must show how they meet the criteria stated in the National Care Standards for Early Education & Childcare up to the age of 16. SCMA publishes a guide called Meeting the Standards which helps childminders assess their own work in relation to the national requirements. You will also be required to purchase Public Liability Insurance. This can be purchased from SCMA along with our membership package.

To download a copy of the National Care Standards, please click here. 

I've heard i'll have to register as a food business, is this true?
The Food Standards Agency in Scotland (FSAS) and the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee have been working together to provide guidance for registered childminders in domestic premises providing a food service to those in their care. 

The guidance is in the form of Questions and Answers and is not intended for nannies or care operating from non-domestic premises such as nurseries, care homes and schools.

Q. I don’t provide any food services. Am I required to register as a food business operator?

A. If you provide no more than the following levels of food service as part of your normal business, you are not required to register as a food business operator.

a. Provision of mains drinking water.
b. Provision of crockery and cutlery for use by children to eat their own packed lunches.
c. Provision of chilled storage for packed lunches that belong to the children.
d. Occasional assistance to children with cutting up their own food in response to individual need rather than an established service.
e. Occasional provision of food that is not part of the normal service (e.g. a cake to celebrate a child’s birthday or provision of food where a parent/guardian has been delayed).
f. Operating in the child's own home and serving food that belongs to the child's parent/guardian e.g. nannies or home child carers.

Q. However, if I do need to register as a food business operator, how should I do it?

A. To register as a food business operator you will need to inform the local authority where your business is based, this will be where you pay council tax. Registering is free of charge. You should complete the simple registration form available from local authorities or the Care Commission and return it to your local authority (Environmental Health department).  To find the contact details of your nearest local authority please see the Food Standards Agency website at http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/enforceessential/yourarea/

Q. What happens once I have registered as a food business operator?

A. Once you have registered as a food business operator with your local authority, an enforcement officer will contact you to arrange a suitable time to visit and will discuss general food hygiene practices to ensure food is being prepared safely.

Q. Will my domestic situation be taken into account?

A. You do have a general duty, in addition to the welfare requirements to ensure that food you provide is safe. However, your local authority enforcement officer will take your domestic environment into consideration and will help you put in place practical and proportionate measures to ensure food safety.

Q. When will my initial inspection take place?

A. When you return the registration form to your local Environmental Health department, your business will be prioritised based on the nature of food activity you carry out. The Environmental Health department will visit the higher priority food businesses first and the initial inspection should take place during the same year that you register. Lower priority food businesses will receive their initial inspection as soon as resources permit. Further information on your initial inspection can be obtained from your local Environmental Health department.

Q. Where can I get further advice?

A. Registered childminders can discuss these matters with their local authority.

Further advice for childminders operating as a food business is available on the FSA website at:
www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/enforceessential/startingup/childminders/