Yesterday, the First Minister announced the Scottish Government’s intention that nurseries and other larger childcare settings can re-open to all pre-school children from 22 February. This is subject to continued progress in suppressing the virus and will be subject to final confirmation in two weeks’ time, on 16 February.
The Scottish Government has issued a
letter to all registered childcare providers with more information and links to useful resources.
For childminders, the main points to note are:
- Childminders caring for fewer than 12 children can continue to operate under
existing guidance for children of any age.
- Childminders caring for 12 or more children can plan to care for:
o
all children of pre-school age
o
for children of any age who are the children of key workers or other priority groups, from 22 February. This is subject to continued progress in suppressing the virus and will be subject to final confirmation on 16 February. This represents a slight easing in the current restrictions for larger childminding settings. However,
children of school-age who are not the children of key workers or other priority groups should not begin attending a larger childminding setting again at this time. Like other childcare settings, these settings should be restricted to supporting pre-school aged children.
Financial Support
For childminders in larger settings of 12 or more children, the
Temporary Restrictions Fund, will open on
Thursday 4 February for applications for the first round of grants covering the four week period from 4 January. A second round of grants covering the period from 1 February will open in March. While the restrictions continue, those who continue to be subject to the restrictions will be able to apply for a grant. Full details of round 2 and future rounds of the Temporary Restrictions Fund will be made available on the Scottish Government website as soon as possible.
For smaller childminding settings (less than 12 children) Scottish Government and SCMA continue to be in discussion regarding the details of the funding that will be available to you and it is hoped this will be confirmed shortly. Please be assured that much work is underway behind the scenes. We will update members as soon as possible.