Finding the right childminder is a crucial decision for you and your family. The Care Inspectorate is here to provide you with the information and support you need to make an informed choice.
We regulate and inspect childminding services across Scotland to ensure they meet high standards of care, in line with the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).
Registration
Every childminder in Scotland must register with the Care Inspectorate and have a Care Inspectorate registration certificate. Always ask to see it. You can verify a childminder’s registration status by searching for the service on our website.
The Care Inspectorate’s role
We are Scotland’s independent regulator of social care and social work services. Our role is to ensure that childminding services provide safe, high-quality care.
We do this through registration, inspection, dealing with complaints about services and enforcing regulations when necessary.
We regulate and inspect childminders using the Health and Social Care Standards and the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.
Learn more about our work.
Standards of Care
Care
A nurturing and safe environment is essential. Childminders should build positive relationships and provide care that is responsive to each child’s needs.
Play and learning
Childminders should provide opportunities for play and learning that support children’s development. This includes age-appropriate activities and promoting social, emotional and physical skills.
You can read more about play and learning in Out to play (Section 9: childminding settings).
Food and Nutrition
Not all childminders will offer meals but those childminders who do should provide nutritious meals and snacks, catering to individual dietary needs and promoting healthy eating. They should have safe food handling practices.
You can find out more about nutritional standards in Setting the Table guidance.
Our Food Matters guidance celebrates the many ways in which early learning and childcare (ELC) settings are supporting children to have positive eating experiences and enjoy well-balanced, nutritious food.
Inspections
We conduct regular inspections to assess the quality of care. Our inspections involve observing practice, speaking to children and childminders, and reviewing records. Read more about our inspection process: You can also access our inspection reports.
Complaints
If you have concerns, please speak to the childminder first. If unresolved, make a complaint to us. You can submit a complaint online.
Learn more about how we deal with complaints about care.
Care Standard Questionnaires (CSQs)
Your feedback is important. We may ask you to complete a Care Standard Questionnaire.
These survey questions help us gather views of parents and relatives whose children use a childminder and inform our scrutiny and improvement work.
Voluntary Cancellation
Childminders can cancel their registration. Always check registration status. You can verify a childminder’s registration status by searching for the service on our website.
Resources
Scottish Childminding Association website
Scottish Government’s Commitment to Childminding in Scotland
