Childminders are able to go back to work today following an announcement by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Childminding Association, (SCMA), has welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that childminders who are currently closed can reopen for the first time since lockdown restrictions were eased.
Following the publication of new public health guidance, childminders are permitted to care for a maximum of four families (excluding the childminder’s own) at any one time.
Childminders were forced to stop working at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis unless they were remaining open to provide critical childcare for key workers and vulnerable children.
The Childminder Services Guidance, published by the Scottish Government and created in partnership with the Care Inspectorate, Health Protection Scotland and SCMA, continues to advise childminders to prioritise spaces for critical childcare.
Beyond that, childminders can use their discretion to allocate available spaces to other families.
Graeme McAlister, chief executive of the Association, said: “The reopening of childminding during phase one will help to ensure that many more families will have access to high-quality childcare as communities across the country start to ease out of lockdown.
“However, there is no requirement for childminders to reopen immediately.
“It is important they take time to prepare, based on their own business and personal circumstances. We anticipate this will be a gradual process while childminders who have been closed prepare their settings.”
