We have received a few enquiries today from members - some checking if you can stay open and some asking if you can close - during today’s Red Weather Warnings.
While childminders are permitted to stay open, every setting is unique and your decision on whether to do so is individual - based on your own circumstances. We understand that an order for settings to close can only be made by a statutory body such as the Scottish Government or a local authority (in relation to their own settings) etc. - SCMA is not a statutory body and we have no authority regarding this decision.
SCMA received enquiries from childminders yesterday asking if they could stay open and if so, whether their insurance would still be valid. We provided confirmation that if it is SCMA insurance, you are covered - providing sensible precautions are taken.
As an employer, we also have responsibilities to our own staff and took the decision to close our office and work remotely today so that we could continue to support members,
The extent of the red weather warning is very rare and we will take learning from this to engage with the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that if future weather warnings result in the closure of schools and nurseries, consideration and clarity is also provided for childminders in such communications.