What is Community Childminding?

SCMA’s Community Childminding Service provides intervention for families at times of crisis.

The desired outcome is to prevent circumstances deteriorating and avoid a more substantial intervention being required. Families are referred for a variety of reasons from children with behavioural difficulties to a parent’s mental illness.

SCMA provide training and local support to quality childminders, who in turn offer short-term placements to families in need, allowing children to remain looked after in their communities. The wellbeing of the child is paramount. Childminders provide care based on the child’s individual needs, helping them develop resilience and achieve crucial milestones. The Getting it Right for Every Child Wellbeing Indicators are used to map achievements and measure success.

The Service benefits children and families through short-term placements, typically lasting eight hours per week over six to 26 weeks. The majority of children cared for are in the 0-3 age bracket although the service can provide for children of any age.

Families are referred to the Service by health visitors, social workers and family support workers.

Download our Community Childminding Brochure

Our focus

Community Childminding is shaped by local need. The Service focusses on:

supporting families to function for the wellbeing of parents and children
offering early intervention that is effective in preventing further escalation of problems
responding in a timely, proportionate and appropriately targeted manner

Children’s wellbeing is enhanced by spending time away from stressful situations with a responsive adult who can focus on their needs. Children’s individual needs are identified, such as delay in developmental milestones, health issues, behavioural problems, lack of ability to engage with their peers and appropriate actions are implemented to support children to achieve their potential.

Parents also benefit; the childminder is seen as a role model in a non-judgemental environment. They become more able to cope with challenging family circumstances, feel supported at a time of personal ill-health and acquire helpful knowledge of parenting and childcare routines.

“My child is so different now, willing to share and play with the toys and games properly. I have learnt to play more with my child. My child is a different child now but I am a different parent too.”