Childminding workforce trends qualitative research report

Appendix 2: Participant information sheets

Prospective childminders

Childminding Workforce Research

Participant Information Sheet

Thank you so much for agreeing to take part in our research on trends in the childminding workforce on behalf of the Scottish Government, Scottish Childminding Association and the Care Inspectorate.

Why do you want to speak to me?

The childminding workforce has declined in recent years. This research will look at the reasons why childminders stop childminding and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession to understand how to better recruit, support and retain childminders. To do this we are speaking to:

• People who have considered registering as a childminder in the last two years but decided not to;
• Childminders who have joined the workforce in the last three years;
• Childminders who are thinking about leaving the workforce in the next three years;
• People who have recently left the childminding workforce

What will the discussion cover?

During the discussion the researcher will ask you about your experiences and views on:

• Why you thought about becoming a childminder;
• What shaped your decision not to become a childminder;
• What might encourage more people to become childminders

There are no right or wrong answers, we are just interested in hearing your views and experiences. You do not need to prepare for the the interview or focus group.

Do I have to take part?

Your particiption is entirely voluntary and if there is anything we ask about that you would prefer to not dicuss, that is totally fine. The researcher can also pause the discussion if you would like to take a break, or stop if you would like to withdraw from the research. You are free to change your mind about participating at any time without giving us a reason.

How do I take part?

You will receive your appointment details from Ipsos MORI. One to one phone interviews will last around 45 mins to 1 hour. Online focus groups will last 2 hours. You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.

If you have agreed to take part in a online focus group with three other participants you will be sent a link to join the video call using Zoom. You don't need to have a Zoom account. You will need a WiFi connection and a laptop or a PC or a tablet, ideally with a webcam (though if necessary, they can take part without using video). If you have any difficulties getting into the video call, or using Zoom, there will be another researcher on hand to help you.

How will my answers be used?

Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. The findings in the report will be used by the Scottish Government to inform how they tackle the decline in the number of childminders.

Ipsos MORI is bound by the Data Protection Act and strictly adheres to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. If you would like more information on how your data will be stored by Ipsos MORI, see our privacy notice.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: [email address].

Thank you for your help with this important research.

Best wishes

[Researcher name]

Graduate Research Executive, Ipsos MORI Scotland

New childminders

Childminding Workforce Research

Participant Information Sheet

Thank you so much for agreeing to take part in our research on trends in the childminding workforce on behalf of the Scottish Government, Scottish Childminding Association and the Care Inspectorate.

Why do you want to speak to me?

The childminding workforce has declined in recent years. This research will look at the reasons why childminders stop childminding and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession to understand how to better recruit, support and retain childminders. To do this we are speaking to:

• People who have considered registering as a childminder in the last two years but decided not to;
• Childminders who have joined the workforce in the last three years;
• Childminders who are thinking about leaving the workforce in the next three years;
• People who have recently left the childminding workforce

What will the discussion cover?

During the discussion the researcher will ask you about your experiences and views on:

• Why you decided to become a childminder;
• What it's like being a childminder;
• What might encourage more people to become childminders

There are no right or wrong answers, we are just interested in hearing your views and experiences. You do not need to prepare for the the interview or focus group.

Do I have to take part?

Taking part is entirely voluntary. The discussion may touch on topics which are sensitive for some people (e.g. the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic). However, if there is anything we ask about that you would prefer to not dicuss, that is totally fine and we will move on to the next topic. The researcher can also pause the discussion if you would like to take a break, or stop if you would like to withdraw from the research. You are free to change your mind about participating at any time without giving us a reason.

How do I take part?

You will receive your appointment details from Ipsos MORI. One to one phone interviews will last around 45 mins to 1 hour. Online focus groups will last 2 hours. You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.

If you have agreed to take part in a online focus group with three other participants you will be sent a link to join the video call using Zoom. You don't need to have a Zoom account. You will need a WiFi connection and a laptop or a PC or a tablet, ideally with a webcam (though if necessary, they can take part without using video). If you have any difficulties getting into the video call, or using Zoom, there will be another researcher on hand to help you.

How will my answers be used?

Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. The findings in the report will be used by the Scottish Government to inform how they tackle the decline in the number of childminders.

Ipsos MORI is bound by the Data Protection Act and strictly adheres to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. If you would like more information on how your data will be stored by Ipsos MORI, see our privacy notice.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: [email address].

Thank you for your help with this important research.

Best wishes

[Researcher name]

Graduate Research Executive, Ipsos MORI Scotland

Childminders who are considering leaving the profession

Childminding Workforce Research

Participant Information Sheet

Thank you so much for agreeing to take part in our research on trends in the childminding workforce on behalf of the Scottish Government, Scottish Childminding Association and the Care Inspectorate.

Why do you want to speak to me?

The childminding workforce has declined in recent years. This research will look at the reasons why childminders stop childminding and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession to understand how to better recruit, support and retain childminders. To do this we are speaking to:

• People who have considered registering as a childminder in the last two years but decided not to;
• Childminders who have joined the workforce in the last three years;
• Childminders who are thinking about leaving the workforce in the next three years;
• People who have recently left the childminding workforce

What will the discussion cover?

During the discussion the researcher will ask you about your experiences and views on:

• Why you decided to become a childminder;
• What it's like being a childminder;
• What factors have made you think you may want to stop childminding;
• What might encourage more people to become childminders

There are no right or wrong answers, we are just interested in hearing your views and experiences. You do not need to prepare for the the interview or focus group.

Do I have to take part?

Taking part is entirely voluntary. The discussion may touch on topics which are sensitive for some people (e.g. the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic). However, if there is anything we ask about that you would prefer to not dicuss, that is totally fine and we will move on to the next topic. The researcher can also pause the discussion if you would like to take a break, or stop if you would like to withdraw from the research. You are free to change your mind about participating at any time without giving us a reason.

How do I take part?

You will receive your appointment details from Ipsos MORI. One to one phone interviews will last around 45 mins to 1 hour. Online focus groups will last 2 hours. You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.

If you have agreed to take part in a online focus group with three other participants you will be sent a link to join the video call using Zoom. You don't need to have a Zoom account. You will need a WiFi connection and a laptop or a PC or a tablet, ideally with a webcam (though if necessary, they can take part without using video). If you have any difficulties getting into the video call, or using Zoom, there will be another researcher on hand to help you.

How will my answers be used?

Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. The findings in the report will be used by the Scottish Government to inform how they tackle the decline in the number of childminders.

Ipsos MORI is bound by the Data Protection Act and strictly adheres to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. If you would like more information on how your data will be stored by Ipsos MORI, see our privacy notice.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: [email address].

Thank you for your help with this important research.

Best wishes

[Researcher name]

Graduate Research Executive, Ipsos MORI Scotland

Former childminders

Childminding Workforce Research

Participant Information Sheet

Thank you so much for agreeing to take part in our research on trends in the childminding workforce on behalf of the Scottish Government, Scottish Childminding Association and the Care Inspectorate.

Why do you want to speak to me?

The childminding workforce has declined in recent years. This research will look at the reasons why childminders stop childminding and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession to understand how to better recruit, support and retain childminders. To do this we are speaking to:

• People who have considered registering as a childminder in the last two years but decided not to;
• Childminders who have joined the workforce in the last three years;
• Childminders who are thinking about leaving the workforce in the next three years;
• People who have recently left the childminding workforce

What will the discussion cover?

During the discussion the researcher will ask you about your experiences and views on:

• What shaped your decision to stop childminding
• What might encourage more people to become childminders

There are no right or wrong answers, we are just interested in hearing your views and experiences. You do not need to prepare for the the interview or focus group.

Do I have to take part?

Taking part is entirely voluntary. The discussion may touch on topics which are sensitive for some people (e.g. the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic). However, if there is anything we ask about that you would prefer to not dicuss, that is totally fine and we will move on to the next topic. The researcher can also pause the discussion if you would like to take a break, or stop if you would like to withdraw from the research. You are free to change your mind about participating at any time without giving us a reason.

How do I take part?

You will receive your appointment details from Ipsos MORI. One to one phone interviews will last around 45 mins to 1 hour. Online focus groups will last 2 hours. You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.

If you have agreed to take part in a online focus group with three other participants you will be sent a link to join the video call using Zoom. You don't need to have a Zoom account. You will need a WiFi connection and a laptop or a PC or a tablet, ideally with a webcam (though if necessary, they can take part without using video). If you have any difficulties getting into the video call, or using Zoom, there will be another researcher on hand to help you.

How will my answers be used?

Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. The findings in the report will be used by the Scottish Government to inform how they tackle the decline in the number of childminders.

Ipsos MORI is bound by the Data Protection Act and strictly adheres to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct. If you would like more information on how your data will be stored by Ipsos MORI, see our privacy notice.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: [email address].

Thank you for your help with this important research.

Best wishes

[Researcher name]

Graduate Research Executive, Ipsos MORI Scotland