Early learning and childcare profiles
Early learning and childcare profiles, by local authority
We have created early learning and childcare local profiles to assist local authority planning for the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland.
These profiles are a valuable source of information about daycare of children services in local authority areas. They include information about: number of services and capacity; funded places; trends in children registered; registered children by age; service quality; sessions and opening times; SIMD and urban/rural classification; staffing and vacancies; population estimates and projections; and an early learning and childcare service list of the area.
The profiles focus on those services that provide early learning and childcare (children and family centres, nurseries and playgroups) while our early learning and childcare statistics publication also provides information about out of school care, holiday playschemes and creches.
We welcome any feedback, queries and ideas for improvement for these profiles; please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Early Learning and Childcare Profiles, as at 31 December 2016
Early Learning and Childcare Profiles, as at 31 December 2017
Early Learning and Childcare Profiles, as at 31 December 2018
Education Scotland
The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland have recently reviewed their collaborative working approaches for carrying out inspections in the early years and school care accommodation sectors. The previous methodology was developed by our predecessor bodies, the Care Commission and HMIE. It is important to update the methodology to better meet the requirements of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.
Our new arrangements for working together will seek to maintain high levels of efficiency and effectiveness and to streamline the paperwork we request from providers.
Changes include joint questionnaires and joint self-assessment and reporting formats. There will be a care inspector as part of the inspection teams for nursery classes in primary schools.
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act: Early Learning and Childcare
Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will work together to support the development and expansion of early learning and childcare.
We will continue with our current programmes of both individual and shared inspection and evaluation of services for children aged 3 to school age. In relation to the new entitlement for specified groups of 2 year olds to early learning and childcare, our shared activities will focus on building capacity in partnership with the local authorities and organisations such as the National Day Nurseries Association, Play Scotland and the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), as well as providers themselves.
Our collective aim is to assist in ensuring that the increased provision will be of a high quality with the focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and that commissioners and providers are committed to delivering flexible choices for parents.
The Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect all daycare and childminding services for children in line with current legislation.
eForms guidance
Before using the eForms system for the first time, we recommend that you clear your browser’s cache and cookies. For instructions on how to do this, click here.
We recommend that you keep your browser versions up to date to ensure your security settings are maintained.
If you are using Internet Explorer, please note that version 10 or lower is no longer supported. You should update your browser if you are using an older version (you may need to update your operating system to do this). Alternatively you can use a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox.
Please see the video below for more information.
Further information on:
Click here to continue to eForms login
eForms: Information for providers about extensions
The eForms system is now available for providers. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
In order to help providers, we have extended submission dates for annual returns and some providers' self assessments. The table below shows the new deadlines.
| Process/forms | New submission date | Information for providers |
| Annual returns | 29 February 2016 | The final submission date has been extended to reflect the system being unavailable. |
| Self assessment | 18 February 2016 | Those services that were closed over the festive period and were given an extension to the end of January have another two weeks from 4 February. |
| Draft inspection reports and error response forms | 25 February 2016 | If you have been unable to view your draft report and/or submit your error response form you now have an additional fifteen working days from 4 February. |
| Final inspection reports and actions plans | 25 February 2016 |
If you have been unable to view your final report and/or submit your action plan you now have an additional 15 working days from 4 February. If you are waiting for you report to be finalised, we shall do so once the date for the error response form has passed. |
| Notifications | 25 February 2016 |
Please use our eForms to log all notifications that occured whilst the systems were not available including any you have already contacted your inspector about. Any notifications you have already submitted online will not be lost. You will be able to see what you have previously submitted to your account.
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| Any other eForms documents | For any other eForms documents (such as an application to inactive/active or vary your registration), we shall process your forms as quickly as possible. | |
| Scottish Care Home Census | April 2016 - date to be confirmed. | The submission period is not affected. You'll receive a message from us nearer the time to confirm the date of submission |
If you have any concerns please contact the Contact Centre helpline on 0345 600 9527
Enforcements
Enforcement is an essential and powerful element of the Care Inspectorates' core responsibilities and it is central to our aim of protecting service users and bringing about an improvement in the quality of care services.
We have two different types of notices that can be served against care services.
Condition Notices
A condition notice is served when the Care Inspectorate needs to change the conditions of registration of a service in order for it to operate. If a provider wants to change their conditions of registration, they can apply for a variation. An application for variation is not treated as “enforcement”. Read more about variations here.
Improvement Notice
An improvement notice might be served when we have sufficient concerns about a service. The provider must make the required improvements within a given timescale. If not, we may pursue the cancellation of that service. Cancelling a service is rare and we work hard with services to ensure that this is the last resort.
Urgent Proceedings
If we believe that there is a serious and immediate risk to life, health or wellbeing, we can apply to the Sheriff Court for emergency cancellation of a service's registration or apply for changes to their conditions.
Click here to view/download the Enforcement Policy.
Read more in our Requiring care services in Scotland to improve leaflet.
Evaluations (grades)
We will provide an overall evaluation for each of the key questions we inspect, using the six-point scale from unsatisfactory (1) to excellent (6). This will be taken from the specific quality indicators that we inspect.
The evaluations for each set of quality indicators within the key question will inform an overall evaluation (using the same scale) for that particular key question. key question the indicators sit under.
Where we inspect only one of the quality indicators under a key question, the evaluation we give the indicator will automatically be the evaluation for the key question overall. Where we inspect more than one quality indicator per key question, the overall evaluation for the key question will be the lowest evaluation (grade) of the quality indicators for that specific key question.
For example, if we evaluate only one quality indicator under key question two, as ‘very good’ then the overall evaluation for key question two will be ‘very good’. However, if we evaluate three quality indicators under key question two as ‘good’, ‘adequate’, and ‘good’ respectively, the overall evaluation for the key question will be ‘adequate’. This indicates that there is a key element of practice that makes the overall key question no better than the lowest evaluation (grade).
The six-point scale
We use the six-point scale to describe the quality we see:
| 6 | Excellent | Outstanding or sector leading |
| 5 | Very good | Major strengths |
| 4 | Good | Important strengths, with some areas for improvement |
| 3 | Adequate | Strengths just outweigh weaknesses |
| 2 | Weak | Important weaknesses - priority action required |
| 1 | Unsatisfactory | Major weaknesses - urgent remedial action required |
An evaluation of excellent describes performance which is sector leading and supports experiences and outcomes for people which are of outstandingly high quality. There is a demonstrable track record of innovative, effective practice and/or very high-quality performance across a wide range of its activities and from which others could learn. We can be confident that excellent performance is sustainable and that it will be maintained.
An evaluation of very good will apply to performance that demonstrates major strengths in supporting positive outcomes for people. There are very few areas for improvement. Those that do exist will have minimal adverse impact on people’s experiences and outcomes. While opportunities are taken to strive for excellence within a culture of continuous improvement, performance evaluated as very good does not require significant adjustment.
An evaluation of good applies to performance where there is a number of important strengths which, taken together, clearly outweigh areas for improvement. The strengths will have a significant positive impact on people’s experiences and outcomes. However, improvements are required to maximise wellbeing and ensure that people consistently have experiences and outcomes which are as positive as possible.
An evaluation of adequate applies where there are some strengths but these just outweigh weaknesses. Strengths may still have a positive impact but the likelihood of achieving positive experiences and outcomes for people is reduced significantly because key areas of performance need to improve. Performance which is evaluated as adequate may be tolerable in particular circumstances, such as where a service or partnership is not yet fully established, or in the midst of major transition. However, continued performance at adequate level is not acceptable. Improvements must be made by building on strengths while addressing those elements that are not contributing to positive experiences and outcomes for people.
An evaluation of weak will apply to performance in which strengths can be identified but these are outweighed or compromised by significant weaknesses. The weaknesses, either individually or when added together, substantially affect peoples’ experiences or outcomes. Without improvement as a matter of priority, the welfare or safety of people may be compromised, or their critical needs not met. Weak performance requires action in the form of structured and planned improvement by the provider or partnership with a mechanism to demonstrate clearly that sustainable improvements have been made.
An evaluation of unsatisfactory will apply when there are major weaknesses in critical aspects of performance which require immediate remedial action to improve experiences and outcomes for people. It is likely that people’s welfare or safety will be compromised by risks which cannot be tolerated. Those accountable for carrying out the necessary actions for improvement must do so as a matter of urgency, to ensure that people are protected, and their wellbeing improves without delay.
While we have clarified what we mean by each evaluation to ensure a better, shared understanding of these, our evaluation scale from one to six has not changed. This is because in the 100 test inspections we carried out, there were no significant issues that indicated a change was needed.
The Health and Social Care Standards published by the Scottish Government in 2017, significantly modernise the expectations of what people should experience from their care and support. We must, by law, take these into account when making decisions on our inspections.
Falls and Fractures
The 'Managing Falls and Fractures in Care Homes for Older People good practice resource' is a revised and improved edition of the resource pack launched in 2011.
This resource pack will help staff in care homes to assess how well falls prevention and management and the prevention of fractures is being addressed in their service.
It aims to provide the answers to many of the questions care home managers have, and can also act as an educational tool for new or existing care home staff. It provides practical help, guidance and tools and signposts to resources available online.
There are a number of changes and additions in the 2016 edition.
The self assessment is still your starting point when using the resource pack; you will notice it has a few additional ‘good practice statements’ in line with the updated practice. It will help you identify what improvements, if any, you need to make in your care home to prevent falls.
Section 5 - 'Learning from falls' emphasises the importance and value of learning from the information you gather about falls. Section 2 'Guidance for improving the quality of care’ is a new section which has been added to support you to identify, plan, test and implement lasting improvements in your care home. Section 4 ‘Keeping well’ is another new section, focusing on 10 common risk areas and includes guidance, points to consider, tools and links to useful websites.
Care home stories have been added throughout the resource pack to give examples of new ways of working. To emphasise the importance of working with the wider health and social care team Section 6, ‘Working together’ has been added, which suggests ways to develop and improve links.
And finally, some tools in the toolkit have been updated and new tools added including a falls data spreadsheet to gather and analyse information about falls in your care home (this is accessible on the internet along with instructions for its use) and a DVD education pack that goes with the falls awareness DVD that came out with the original pack.
Please make use of the revised resource in a way that fits with the needs of the staff and residents in your care home. We hope you find it useful, comprehensive and easy to use. Most importantly we hope it supports you to improve the care and lives of older people at risk of falling.
The resource can be downloaded here or by clicking on the image above.
Resource Tools
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Tool 1a The Model for Improvement
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Tool 1b The Model for Improvement and PDSA cycle planning and progress proforma
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Tool 2a Improvement log
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Tool 2b Action plan
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Tool 4a Multifactorial Falls Risk Screen (MFRS) and falls care plan
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Tool 4b Care home resident falls and fracture risk/intervention tool
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Tool 6 Falls management checklist
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Tool 10 Protocol for measuring lying/standing blood pressure (BP) (checking for Orthostatic Hypotension)
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Tool 13 Bedrail risk assessment
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Tool 14 Seating matters
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Tool 15 Post fall pathway for managing a resident who has fallen or has been found on the floor
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Tool 16 Telecare matters: A quick guide to technology enabled care and support
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Tool 17a Guidelines for completing a post falls/incident report form
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Tool 17b Post fall/incident report form
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Tool 18b Care home monthly falls diary
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Tool 19 Fall data spreadsheet
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Tool 20a Procedure for the use of measles chart/falls plotting
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Tool 20b Measles chart example
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Tool 21b Falls safety cross
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Tool 22 Training database
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Tool 23 Managing falls and fractures in care homes for older people: DVD education pack (This links with the falls awareness DVD which is available below)
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Tool 24 Service directory
Watch the falls awareness educational video here.
We first published the resource in 2011 and carried out and evaluation in 2012. You can read the full evaluation report here.
For more information please contact Fiona Currie, Improvement Adviser at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Strength and Balance DVD to prevent falls and keep well
A DVD has been produced by Active Fife in partnership with Paths for All and is accompanied by their 'Walk Your Way to Better Strength and Balance' leaflet. Anyone outside of Fife who wishes to get copies of the DVD or leaflet can get them directly from Paths For All or through their local health walking group.
The videos contained within the DVD are also available through Paths for All on YouTube.
Useful information
Fees
Services must pay fees to be registered with us. The maximum limit is set by Scottish Ministers. The fees we collect contribute to our operating costs.
We charge a fee for registering a new service and an annual continuation fee. The annual continuation fee licenses a care service to operate.
Download our fees table here.
Annual continuation of registration fee
We will send an invoice each year for all your registered services. The date of when we send the invoice depends on the date you first registered. The table below helps you work out when your continuation fee will be due each following year:
| Date of first registration | Annual continuation fee due from |
| Between 1 April and 30 June | 1 April |
| Between 1 July and 30 September | 1 July |
| Between 1 October and 31 December | 1 October |
| Between 1 January and 31 March | 1 January |
If a service cancels part way through its fee year, we do not give a refund or discount.
Combined service discount
Separately registered services that operate from the same premises, sharing staff, management, policies and so on, are often referred to as ‘combined services’. Combined services can be cheaper for us to administer. If they are, we give a 15% discount on the smaller of their continuation fees.
The discount isn’t automatic and we must be confident that we can make a saving on their administration. Combined service discounts will show on the smaller service’s continuation fee invoice. If you think you may be entitled to a combined service discount, but there is no discount shown on your smaller service’s invoice, please contact your inspector.
We don’t normally give combined service discounts to fostering and adoption services. We don’t give discounts to services where the continuation fee is less than £500.
Variation, addition or removal of condition(s) – No fees charged
Although we have set this fee at zero, you must still complete an application to add, vary or remove a condition of registration. You can apply online through the digital portal. If this is not possible, call our Contact Centre on 0345 600 9527 for an application form.
New certificate fees – no charge
If we grant a variation to your registration, we will issue you with a new certificate of registration. There is no charge for sending your certificate.
Cancellations – no charge
Like variation fees, we have set the cancellation fee at zero. You can apply to cancel online through the digital portal. If this is not possible, call our Contact Centre on 0345 600 9527.
Unless we agree a shorter timescale, you must give us 3 months’ notice of your proposed cancellation. We will consider your cancellation completed when you have returned all the necessary documentation and we have confirmed your cancellation. If you are voluntarily cancelling a service in the period leading up to your annual continuation fee due date, make sure you don’t delay the process unnecessarily.
If you do not cancel your service before the annual continuation fee is due then it becomes payable in full. The annual continuation fee is not discounted for services that only operate for part of a year.
How to pay Care Inspectorate fees
Credit/Debit Card
You can pay by credit or debit card online through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/payments/care-inspectorate/continuation-fee
Direct Debit
You can pay by direct debit, either as a single payment or by 10 equal monthly instalments (only available if the fee is more than £100).
Direct Debits are normally collected at these times:
|
Annual continuation due date |
Single payment by |
10 equal instalments |
| 1 April | 31 May | from 31 May to 28 Feb |
| 1 July | 31 August | from 31 Aug to 31 May |
| 1 October | 30 November | from 30 Nov to 31 Aug |
| 1 January | 28 February | from 28 Feb to 30 Nov |
We do not fully control when the fees are set. We decide this in consultation with Scottish Government. Because of this, collection dates and number of instalments may change. If they do, we will let you know.
If you wish to pay by Direct Debit, please download, print and complete the Direct Debit instruction adding your customer number and return it to us.
BACS
Royal Bank of Scotland, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
Sort Code: 83-06-08
Account Number: 11580052
Account Name: Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland
Cheque/Postal Order
You may pay by either cheque or postal order, made payable to The Care Inspectorate, including the remittance advice on the foot of your invoice, at any Care Inspectorate office or by posting to:
Care Inspectorate, Finance – Income Section, Compass House,
11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have an enquiry about your invoice. Call us on 0345 603 6979 Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm, or write to us at: Care Inspectorate, Finance – Income Section, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fee Information
This can be found within the fee section of our website
Inactive services
Please note that although your service may be inactive, you will still be due to pay annual continuation fees.