Free childcare hours with a childminder

[Weighinguptheoptions]

Hia

Does anyone know if you can use the free childcare hours to pay for a childminder or do they have to be used at a nursery?

Thanks

In Edinburgh (possibly Scotland wide) I think it's nursery only. We looked in to it from a CM perspective a while ago and it wasn't possible.

Nursery only I am afraid. If it's a private nursery then check they have partnership status.

Some playgroups receive the funding.

Oh boo. Thought it would be the case but thought it was worth a check. Back to the drawing board again!

Is that just in Scotland you can't use them for a childminder? Heard someone on radio today talking about new proposals (a childminder) but think they might have been in England.

I believe it's possible in England

Definitely can use with a childminder in England. Any rumours that it'll change in Scotland?

In England if you are an accredited childminder you follow the EYFS and are checked etc. it's a lot of extra work for very little money. A couple of friends are accredited down south.

We've not heard any murmers about it (DH is a CM) and given we have totally separate inspection bodies/regs I would be surprised if we followed suit.