The number of childminders in Scotland has seen a significant decline of almost 50% over the last decade, according to figures obtained by Scottish Labour. The number of childminders dropped from just over 6,200 in December 2012 to 3,530 in December 2022. As of December last year, the latest data shows a further drop to 3,225 individuals working in the profession. Scottish Labour’s children’s spokesman Martin Whitfield stated that the consistent decline over the past decade is evidence that the SNP has failed families in Scotland.
Whitfield went on to stress that childminders play a crucial role in supporting families, providing flexible, high-quality care for young children, and the dwindling numbers of childminders will have significant implications for parents seeking childcare options and for the early years development of children in Scotland. He pointed out that it is time to act to support families and draw a line under a decade of failure. Childminders are vital to providing services that are essential to communities.
The Scottish government has rolled out a promise to provide 1,140 hours of free childcare over the past decade. However, local councils have been slow to integrate childminders into the 1,140 hours policy, warning that urgent action is required to stem the tide of closures in the sector. Speaking on behalf of the Scottish government, a spokesperson reassured that it values the important work of childminders, and it is committed to supporting and expanding the sector.
Furthermore, the spokesperson explained that the Scottish government is working with the Scottish Childminding Association on a programme of recruitment and retention work to attract 1,000 new childminders to the workforce. The plan will ensure that more families have access to the unique and flexible experience that childminders can offer while supporting childminders with their workloads and safeguarding the long-term future of childminding in Scotland. The Scottish government expects the programme to launch in the coming spring
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