National Childcare Provider Forum minutes: October 2024

Attendees and apologies

• National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) 
• Childminders 
• Almond Park  
• Aberdeen City Council 
• Indigo Childcare Group 
•  Kindercroft Outdoor Early Learning Centre 
• Kirktonholme Childcare 
• KLAS Care 
• Scottish Outdoor Learning Association 
• The Saturday Cafe 
• People Partner Scotland 
• Tarbert After School Care 
• Scottish Private Nurseries Association (SPNA) 
• Wellside Kindergarten 
• Flexible Childcare Services Scotland 
• Unite Childminding 
• Scottish Government Officials 

Apologies 

• Colinton Nurseries 
• Possibilities for Each and Every Kid 
• The Croft Nursery 

Items and actions

Welcome 

The Chair thanked everyone for joining the meeting and noted apologies.  

The Chair also noted that Possibilities for Each and Every Kid (PEEK) would step back from the group until 2025. 

Actions and minutes from previous meetings 

Minutes from the previous meeting were issued prior to the meeting and were agreed.   

Scottish Government updates  

Officials gave an update on the recently published Setting the Table guidance which stakeholder groups, including the Scottish Childminding Association and Early Years Scotland, were involved in developing.  A webinar for ELC practitioners on the guidance was scheduled for 11th November 2024. 

Members raised that there is already extensive guidance on food standards and nutrition and asked about the difference between Setting the Table and Food Matters guidance.   Officials noted they would communicate with members about the difference between the documents, and members can get in touch with officials if they have further questions.  

An update on the Programme for Government 24/25 (PfG) was provided emphasising that the focus for 2024-25 is on increasing uptake of eligible 2-year-olds, and that funding for 2025-26 will be confirmed at the Scottish Budget in December. Work in the Early Adopter Communities is focusing on designing a system, and what that might look like for those who need it most. 

Officials also noted other PfG commitments such as the childminding programme and wider work on recruitment and retention. Members agreed with the issues relating to recruitment and retention in the PVI and childminding sectors, referencing providers in England facing similar issues.  Officials confirmed that the Scottish Government has regular engagement with UK counterparts.  

Members raised issues with access to support for children with ASN in PVI settings. Officials noted members concerns and highlighted that work was being scoped to understand issues with ASN provision following Audit Scotland’s recommendations. 

An update was provided on the Real Living Wage 24/25, where the Scottish Government outlined a commitment to prioritise funding to uplift the pay of workers delivering funded ELC in the PVI and childminding sectors. 

Officials updated on actions from the rates review and the cost collection exercise, flagging that this should be ready to commence in Spring 2025. Members raised that rates for childminders are less than PVI settings and that “sustainable” rates only cover the minimum for settings to operate. Members noted the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering on the rates reform agenda.   Further concerns were raised about the accuracy of the previous cost collection exercise and with the interpretation of the 2024-25 guidance by some local authorities.  Officials confirmed they were aware of the current issues around sustainable rates and that this remains a key priority.  

Speech, language and communication 

The Chair welcomed Louise Steel to the meeting. Louise presented on the importance of the environment in protecting against preventable speech, language and communication needs. Training sessions are planned for PVI providers and slides will be circulated to forum members.  

Any other business and items for discussion at next meeting  

A query was raised on the amount of PPE required for nappy changing and the associated cost for settings. Officials agreed to follow up with the current guidance.  

Officials highlighted that an update on the Care Inspectorate’s ELC improvement programme has been sent via email with a short questionnaire. Care Inspectorate colleagues would welcome feedback. 

The Chair thanked everyone for their time and the constructive conversation.  

Actions 

• Scottish Government to circulate Setting the Table guidance and promote practitioner webinar
• Scottish Government to follow up on nappy changing guidance and PPE requirements