In the latest issue of its Growing Up in Rural Scotland bulletin, Children in Scotland explores how to tackle the decline in registered childminding.
In parts of Scotland this has been put down to childminders leaving the sector to take upbetter-paid jobs in nurseries and as classroom assistants.
Maggie Simpson, the Scottish Childminding Association nat-ional development officer, said, 'We regularly find good childminders moving on to other jobs as they cannot afford to stay.
'They often provide a service for those on a low income and you end up with one low-paid worker subsidising another.'
Bronwen Cohen, chief executive of Children in Scotland, added, 'Childminding offers some local communities their only all-day childcare and after-school provision.
'We need to find ways of developing a better supported career option if childminding is to continue to be sustainable. The evidence seems to suggest that links with other services through initiatives such as Sure Start and networks such as the Highland Childminders Out of School Network may help in achieving this.
'A qualified and trained workforce with proper pay and conditions will secure its place within pre-school and out-of-school provision.'
Some training providers have introduced innovative schemes to meet childminders' needs.
The University of the Highlands and Islands and Inverness College have distance learning courses in childcare that are relevant to childminders, while Dundee College offers a flexible approach to allow studentsto balance family and work commitments.
The options available from Dundee College range from basic workshops to SVQs, assessor awards and degree-level study. Lecturer Gwen Grandison said, 'Positively encouraging childminders to participate in training programmes has meant changes for college staff. Assessing an SVQ candidate in his or her home environment requires different skills than those adopted in a nursery setting, but if the assessed period involves the school run, playgroup, lunch and a visit to the park, then the assessor will follow.'
The Growing Up in Rural Scotland bulletin also gives an account of one childminder's experience of delivering the pre-school curriculum.
Shona Baston successfully completed Stirling Council's ten-week training course to deliver pre-school education and care in her home and explained how it had boosted her confidence.
She said, 'I'm not in the best paid job - I work for less than the minimum wage -and I'm always paying out for extras to fit in with my planning, be it paper, paints, glue, flour, etc.
'I do sometimes feel very undervalued, especially when attending training and other establishments and being referred to as "the childminder". I think, yes, just a childminder who can do her job really well.
'I actually feel that delivering the curriculum in a home-based setting is far superior, as the child dictates the pace of learning and understanding.
'I am now very confident in delivering the curriculum, as I've seen how it can aid children's development and I take pride in telling parents what their child can achieve, be it something as simple as zipping their own jacket or sharing their favourite toys without being asked and no tears to follow.'
* See All About...childminding, page 15.