Help build bright futures: become a childminder
North Ayrshire Council is supporting a national recruitment drive to train and support new childminders.
Through The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is leading the project and is looking to find new recruits to start up in business.
A package of support is available to help get started, with a minimum £750 start-up grant, a unique package of childminding-specific training and one-to-one support from a dedicated Workforce Officer who helps candidates at every stage.
It is a rewarding career that provides the opportunity to contribute to children’s development, learning and well-being and provides a valuable childcare service within the local community.
Childminders are self-employed business owners who come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, and they often switch to a career in professional childminding to enable them to combine caring for their own children, while running their own business from home and earning an income.
No previous childcare experience is required to become a childminder, but you should be passionate about working with children.
Here in North Ayrshire, it is hoped that residents from all six Localities - Arran, Garnock Valley, Irvine, Kilwinning, North Coast and Three Towns – will take advantage of the support available to get their own business up and running.
Quote: This recruitment drive is offering people a flexible working opportunity to run their own business from home. It will also help to increase the availability of childcare provision across North Ayrshire, in turn allowing more parents to secure employment and training and make life better for their families.
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
In addition to the SCMA offer, the council will provide:
- dedicated keyworker support through its Employability service’s Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme - with partners CEIS Ayrshire and We Work For Families
- an additional top-up grant of £750 to cover the cost of any additional expenses and
- business start-up support delivered by Business Gateway to help candidates become self-employed and start their business.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive of the Scottish Childminding Association, added: “Childminding is a vital community asset providing local flexible childcare and family support which is so important in remote and rural communities.
“The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is an important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers and recruiting childminders in areas where they are most needed.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in these areas to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to undertake a rewarding new career.”
Visit the SCMA website for more information.
North Ayrshire Council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.
Please note: To access any of the opportunities delivered by Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire please email the team. You can also find out how Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire can help you with things like CVs, application forms, Modern Apprenticeships, paid work experience, interview techniques and secure employment. Follow the team on Facebook at “Working North Ayrshire”.
Published: 09 July 2025