Central West
Glasgow City funds 2 x 20 hr Childminding Development Officers to support the development of Childminding in the area. Glasgow City also fund Induction and Continuing Professional Development training.
East and West Dunbartonshire fund SCMA Induction training and Continuing Professional Development training on a regular basis.
Renfrewshire also fund Induction training and CPD regularly.
Inverclyde has funded Self Assessment and Grading workshops this year.
We have no current funding in Argyll & Bute or East Renfrewshire.
Central East
The Forth Valley area of Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, each have a part time SCMA worker. Prospective childminders from all three areas can attend Induction training in any of the areas. Induction training is available nine times per year, usually over six evenings, but sometimes two Saturdays instead. Regular Continuing Professional Development training is available in these areas also. SCMA also facilitate First Aid and Food Hygiene training.
The Scheme of Excellence is supported by the three Councils, a course is underway and we hope to be able to offer this each year.
Fife is a large area, and does have a part time SCMA worker. Training for prospective childminders will be available in Fife again from August 08. The provider of this training has not yet been decided.
Continuing Professional Development training is arranged, on average six topics per year, and these will be offered in two different venues due to the number of childminders and the large geographic area of Fife. Two courses of Scheme of Excellence ran last year, but a decision as to future funding of this has not yet been agreed.
There is a part time worker in Dundee, who works 18 hours per week. SCMA Induction training is available, four times per year. A programme of Continuing Professional Development training is in place with seven topics planned for this year. The Scheme of Excellence is not currently available, although has been supported in the past by Dundee Council.
In Perth and Kinross and Angus, the Council provides local support to childminders and enquiries should be made to the Early Years and Childcare Departments.
South West
In the region SCMA are currently funded for nine staff to support the development of childminding across the region.
Dumfries and Galloway funds one 20 hour Childminding Development Officer for the East of the region and one 26 hour Childminding Development Officer in the West of the region.
North Ayrshire funds one 26 hour Childminding Development Officer post.
South Lanarkshire funds one 30 hour Childminding Development Officer post.
North Lanarkshire funds one 36 hour and one 30 hour Childminding Development Officer post.
The posts above are funded to run Induction training, Marketing Me and Self Assessment and Grading. In addition the South Lanarkshire Childminding Development Officer is funded to run post registration training as part of the post. In North Lanarkshire the two officers have additional specified tasks.
We are also currently funded by North Ayrshire council and South Lanarkshire council to deliver a specialised development service in these two areas. The aim of these projects is to provide comprehensive childminding information and support services for clients who were eligible for Working for Families Funding.
We have no current funding in East or South Ayrshire but are always willing to engage with childminders in the area to seek alternative funding streams.
South East
City of Edinburgh currently has three Childminding Development Officers, one at senior level. Induction training is delivered six times per year, Continuing Professional Development workshops and Scheme of Excellence supported study sessions are also delivered throughout the year. Support is available to all childminding groups and individuals in the area.
Scottish Borders has one Childminding Development Officer who provides support and both Induction and Continuing Professional Development training throughout the region. An additional project in conjunction with Sure Start is providing childminders locally for families needing short term support.
West Lothian has one full time Childminding Development Officer who provides Induction training, support, Continuing Professional Development workshops and Scheme of Excellence supported study sessions to childminders. Two further projects within the area are providing childminders for school aged mums and families with additional support needs.
Midlothian has one part-time Childminding Development Officer. Support is available to all childminders in the area, Induction and Continuing Professional Development programmes are delivered throughout the year.
East Lothian has not been funded to provide SCMA services this year.
North
Aberdeen Early Years and Childcare partnership currently fund a 25 hour part time post to recruit and train childminders across Aberdeen City. A senior Development Officer is funded for 11 hours to provide line management for the Aberdeen City and Shire posts.
There are two full time SCMA Development officers in post covering North and South Aberdeenshire, their role is to target local areas, groups already in existence i.e. Toddler groups and playgroups, and raise the profile childminding. Induction training in this area is funded to provide five Induction training programmes across the whole of Aberdeenshire.
SCMA also have a Childminding Development Officer in Moray 36 hours per week. The post allows for a large variety of both induction and Continuing Professional Development Workshops across the Moray Local Authority Area.
Highland Family Resource Alliance continue to provide funding to allow the continuation of employment of five part-time Childminding Development Officers in Highland. There are currently four Scheme of Excellence programmes running in the Highland areas and Continuing Professional Development Workshops are also offered throughout the year.
SCMA have worked with Argyll, Orkney & Shetland in the past – but the funding has not been continued at this time.