How to Find a Registered Childminder in Scotland

A registered childminder can be an excellent option for Scottish families — a home-from-home setting, small numbers, a single consistent carer your child gets to know deeply. But finding the right one takes a bit of patience and a clear understanding of how the system works. This guide takes you from "I'm thinking about a childminder" to "we've signed a contract" without missteps.

Why "registered" is the only word that matters first

In Scotland, anyone caring for a child for more than two hours a day for reward in their own home must be registered with the Care Inspectorate. There are no exceptions, no informal workarounds, no "she's just a friend who minds my kids for a tenner an hour" exemptions. Unregistered childminding is illegal, uninsured and unsafeguarded.

Registration means:

• Disclosure (PVG) checks on the childminder and any adults in the household
• A home inspection, including risk assessment of the property
• First aid and child protection training
• Public liability insurance
• Ongoing Care Inspectorate inspection and a published grade

Don't shortcut this. Any saving from unregistered care evaporates the first time something goes wrong.

The three main ways to find a childminder

1. The Care Inspectorate register (careinspectorate.com)

This is the definitive list. Go to careinspectorate.com, use the "Find care" or service search, enter your postcode, filter by "childminder." You'll see every registered childminder within range, along with:

• Their registration status
• Capacity and ages they're registered to take
• Most recent grades on the 6-point scale
• A downloadable inspection report

This is the only complete list. Everything else is a subset.

2. SCMA Childminder Finder (childminding.org)

The Scottish Childminding Association runs a search tool at childminding.org. It only includes SCMA members — a large proportion of professional Scottish childminders are members, but not all. It's a useful complement, not a replacement for the Care Inspectorate register.

3. Word of mouth

Local parent groups (in-person and on Facebook), workplace networks, your council's family information service, and your health visitor can all suggest names. Always cross-check any recommended name on the Care Inspectorate register before contacting.

What to look at on a childminder profile

When you've shortlisted two or three:

• Current grade — see our Care Inspectorate grades guide for what each level means
• Ages they're registered to take — some only take pre-schoolers, others happily mix ages
• Current vacancies — most childminders' websites or social media show available days/times
• Languages spoken — useful for bilingual families
• Whether they're a funded provider — see the funded childminder hours guide
• Hours and term-time policy — some work school holidays, some don't

The initial enquiry

Childminders are running a business from their home and are usually mid-day with children when you call. A short, friendly email or message is often the best opener:

Hi [name], we're looking for a childminder for our [age] [boy/girl] starting around [date], approximately [number of days/hours per week]. I see from your profile you may have availability — could we arrange a chat or a visit? Many thanks, [your name].

Avoid sending the same long generic enquiry to 20 childminders. They talk to each other, and personalised enquiries get better responses.

The first visit

You're visiting someone's home, so be respectful — phones away, shoes off if asked. Plan for 30-45 minutes. Bring your child if possible, so you can see how they're greeted.

Things to look at:

• The play and sleep spaces
• Garden or outdoor area
• Where children eat
• Stair gates, fire safety, kitchen access
• Any pets and how they interact with children
• The other children currently in care (you should be able to see them)

Things to ask:

• How they structure the day
• Outings and trips (toddler groups, parks, library)
• Food (do they cook, do you provide?)
• Sleep arrangements
• Holiday and sickness policy
• Fee structure and notice period
• Funded hours availability if relevant

Trial sessions

Most professional childminders offer two or three settling-in sessions before a contract begins — typically a one-hour visit with you present, then a short solo session, then a longer one. Pay for these at the agreed hourly rate. If a childminder won't do settling-in, that's a flag.

The contract

A proper childminder contract is a written document covering:

• Hours, days and start date
• Hourly or daily rate
• Holiday entitlement (yours and theirs)
• Sickness policy
• Notice period (typically 4 weeks)
• Termination terms
• Care Inspectorate registration number and insurance details

SCMA provides a standard template that many members use. Read it, ask questions, take it home before signing.

When it's the right fit

You'll know when you've found the right childminder because three things line up: your child relaxes quickly into the setting; the childminder communicates openly and clearly; and the practical details (hours, location, cost) work without strain. If any of those three is shaky, keep looking. Scotland has a deep pool of excellent registered childminders, and patience pays off.