Council denies childminder claim

Perth and Kinross Council has come under fire over claims it is not working with childminders to deliver free childcare entitlement.

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) says that 123 local childminders are available to the council but are not being used. But, the council has hit back, saying that it is working with childcare professionals, including by helping them through the registration process.

SCMA said that PKC was “not co-operating” with childminders on delivering free early learning and childcare (ELC).

Citing a report by the Care Inspectorate it underlined that childminders provide higher quality services than other daycare of children services, but that PKC’s approach meant that parents are restricted to nursery-based settings for this.

Maggie Simpson, Chief Executive of SCMA said: “Childminders provide high quality care and offer low adult-to-child ratios, which is particularly important for raising attainment and supporting families.”

“Childminders are essential to the ELC workforce, offering a unique blended childcare approach to suit the vital needs of children and their families – and parents can be confident that quality is not comprised when local authorities commission childminding services.”

And a spokesperson for SCMA added: “Childminders should be given the chance to deliver funded ELC on behalf of their local authority, as it is without doubt an invaluable early years service that needs to be protected to give children the best start in life.”

A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council responded that it “does not recognise the description given by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA)”.

“The council has a strong relationship with childminders in Perth and Kinross and offers a comprehensive range of support to existing childminders and those going through the Care Inspectorate Childminder registration process.

“Currently, the council has sufficient high quality services available to parents in local authority provision and partner provider centres in place. These placements are offered in response to parental preferences.

“Looking forward to 2020 and the introduction of 1140 hours of Early Learning and Childcare, using childminders may be an option that is offered depending on the outcome of further consultation with parents.”