Martin Whitfield MSP has warned the Scottish Government is presiding over “a decade of decline” of childminding in Scotland as new figures show numbers halving.

The number of childminders in Scotland has plummeted by 49 per cent between 2012 and 2023 – a drop of more than 3,000.

This figure has fallen for seven consecutive years, dropping by 8 per cent between 2022 and 2023 alone.

Mr Whitfield warned that this decline risks doing lasting damage to childcare services in Scotland.  

Overall the capacity in Scottish early learning and childcare fell between 2022 and 2023.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“The Scottish Government has presided over a decade of decline in Scotland’s childminding services.

“Childminders are a key part of Scotland’s childcare system, but the government has let this sector collapse.

“Families are being failed by this decline and robbed of options for flexible, high-quality care.

“This drop has serious consequences for our entire childcare system, and drove a fall in capacity last year.  

“It’s time to deliver a change in direction after years of failure and act to support families and childminders.”