National Childcare Providers Forum minutes: February 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government Officials 
• People Partner Scotland 
• Tarbert After School Care 
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions 
• Wellside Kindergarten   
• Kirktonholme Childcare 
• Almond Park 
• Unite Childminding 
• Kindercroft Outdoor Early Learning Centre
• Scottish Outdoor Learning Association 
• Aberdeen City Council 
• Colinton Nurseries  
• Childminders
• Partnership 

Items and actions

Welcome 

The Chair welcomed the group and noted there were no formal apologies. 

Actions and minutes from previous meetings 

Members agreed the minute of the last meeting. No comments or amendments were made. 

Scottish Government updates  

The Chair provided an update on the publication of the Sustainable Rates Guidance, noting that:                  

• the Childminders rate will be uplifted in line with Funded Providers
• the rate will provide funding to implement the Real Living Wage uplift
• the rate will fund an uplift for 2-year-old provision, recognising the differences between providing provision for 2 and 3-year-olds                                                                                      

A concern was raised by members that childminders would not benefit from the Real Living Wage uplift due to the ratios they work with. 

A further concern was raised by members that the rate will only cover the Real Living Wage uplift and no other employment costs. The Chair clarified that local authorities are responsible for setting the remainder of the rate, beyond staff costs. Concerns around a local authority potentially freezing the rate for the next 2 years were raised and the Chair agreed to follow this up.  

A question was asked around the difference in costs between private and local authority settings and if this would be considered in the cost collection exercise. The Chair confirmed the exercise would not look at local authority settings.  

The Chair highlighted that Scottish Government (SG) officials are aware of the sector’s concern over the UK Government employer National Insurance Contributions (eNIC’s) policy. The Chair reassured members that both SG and COSLA have made a robust case for additional funding to reimburse the costs for public services in Scotland and will continue close engagement with Ministers. Further concerns were made around passing additional costs on to families and the impacts this could have. 

Cost collection excercise 

The Chair welcomed the Diffley Partnership to provide an update on the cost collection exercise.  

The Diffley Partnership are carrying out research to understand what has worked well with previous cost collection exercises. 

They appreciate that providers will often have to complete this in their own time, the aim is to make this as accessible as possible. They are also looking to streamline the process and understand where data may already exist. 

There will be a pilot of the process and engagement with providers to gather feedback. The Chair highlighted the importance of the exercise to inform budget setting. 

School Age Childcare Feasibility Study 

An update was provided by SG officials on the School Age Childcare (SACC) feasibility study which looked into options for regulation of the School Age Childcare sector. The study also looked at workforce issues, and options regarding the qualification requirements of staff working in the sector. 

The School Age Childcare team worked closely with the Care Inspectorate to provide possible options to Ministers. Members raised concerns that changes to qualification requirements could result in a loss of professionalism in the sector. SG officials reassured that there would be no changes in the short term, with any proposed changes involving a consultation process and close engagement with the sector. 

While the feasibility study has now concluded, SG officials will continue to engage Ministers on the options provided and work closely with the sector to inform any future decisions. 

Early Learning and Childcare – Quality update and Additional Support for Learning (ASL) 

Officials are continuing to work closely with partners to improve quality, and feedback on the ELC Improvement Programme continues to be positive. 

Officials noted that a short life working group on Additional Support for Learning (ASL) has been set up with childcare representative bodies and Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES).  Members raised the need for a national approach to ASN and noted that it can be difficult to access support, with providers often having to develop their own resources and provide their own staff training. 

Members highlighted they would be keen to be involved with follow up conversations on ASL. SG officials will follow up with members who have expressed interest in being involved. 

Strategic update from Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) 

SSSC colleagues joined the meeting, and an update was provided on the National Occupational Standards. A stakeholder group has been established to review the National standards, with draft updates expected to be published towards the end of May.  The SSSC will be looking to get the views of the workforce, service users and carers on the updates. 

SSSC also noted they have been gathering data on those exiting the sector via a leavers survey. The data will be published anonymously on the SSSC website and updated regularly. The information will inform improvement work and has had a positive response rate from the sector. 

SSSC also updated on increases to fees for SSSC registration.  SSSC noted that they had been keen to ensure any increase was over several years however, this had not been possible.  

Any other business

Under AOB, SG officials updated on City of Edinburgh Council cross-border issues. SG officials continue to escalate the issues and are aware of the challenges being presented. There was concern from members that other councils could take similar decisions. Officials are monitoring the situation closely and will be following up as appropriate. 

Actions 

• chair to follow up with member who raised a concern about local authorities freezing rates for the next 2 years
• Scottish Government officials to provide a further update on ASL at the next forum
• Scottish Government officials to provide an update on City of Edinburgh Council cross-border issues relating to Funding Follows the Child
• secretariat to circulate minutes and confirm next meeting date