As part of a joint venture with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the SCMA has developed work-based award the Complete Childminding Learning Pathway for childminders across Scotland.
The new award will be credit rated and equal to a Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), a Higher National Certificate (HNC), or a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 3.
The Complete Childminding Learning Pathway will consist of six units which are individually certified with SCQF points.
The first two units will appear on the SQA website (www.sqa.org.uk) before the end of October.
The full award will be available by April 2018.
The Complete Childminding Learning Pathway will take newly-registered childminders through key areas of work, focusing on subjects including running a business, promoting your service, child development, working with children on the autism spectrum, managing behaviour, and communicating with parents.
Any SQA-approved centre can deliver the training, which is assessed by portfolio with a focus on knowledge rather than practice, evaluating childminders’ understanding of the rights of the child, outdoor play, achieving smooth transitions and children’s participation, among other topics.
Any childminder can access the award whether or not they are a member of the SCMA.
The new award was announced at the SCMA annual conference at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline last week.
SCMA chief executive Maggie Simpson and Mark McDonald
Nearly 200 childminders attended the conference on the theme of ‘Childminding develops a child’s mind’, which included a keynote address from Scotland’s minister for childcare and early years Mark McDonald (pictured), as well as a range of speakers and workshops.
Speaking at the conference, Anne Condie, head of childminding services at the SCMA, said, ‘We have been working alongside SQA to develop the Complete Childminding Learning Pathway that will enable all childminders to gain an SQA accredited work place award.
‘SQA chose the conference to present on this exciting new development for childminders which I know will be welcomed within our sector.’
She added, ‘This new award will help childminders to evidence the quality and uniqueness of the service they provide.’
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