As a parent you want the very best for your child - especially in their early years when care, play and learning, go hand in hand. That is why the Quality Improvement Framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is such an important tool.

With children’s rights and wellbeing at its core, the framework is designed to make sure every child in Scotland is:

• safe and protected from harm
• cared for and supported to thrive
• offered high-quality learning and development opportunities

The framework ensures that care, play, and learning are all valued equally. It encourages continuous improvement through reflection and collaboration so you can expect a consistent, high-quality experience for your child, no matter the setting.

How the Quality Improvement Framework works

This self-evaluation framework helps early learning and childcare (ELC) settings - such as nurseries, childminders, and school-age childcare settings - reflect on and improve the care they provide.

The framework features quality indicators to help settings identify strengths and areas for improvement across key areas like staff skills, learning, safeguarding and inclusion. These are grouped under four headings:

• leadership
• children thrive and develop in quality spaces
• children play and learn
• children are supported to achieve

The framework is also used by inspectors to ensure high standards across all settings. The Care Inspectorate conduct inspections at all ELC settings, including childminders and school age childcare settings, while HM Inspectors inspect local authority funded ELC settings (excluding childminders and school age childcare).

The Care Inspectorate will also assess core assurances during every inspection. These assurances focus on key practices that help keep babies and children safe. Practices, such as, safe staff recruitment and maintaining a secure environment. If improvements are needed, this will be highlighted in the inspection report under a relevant quality indicator.

Your views and experiences matter. If you would like to learn more or get involved in your child’s ELC setting, don’t hesitate to contact them and ask how they use the framework to support improvement. Please find more information about the Quality Improvement framework and guidance on Early Learning Centre inspections on the HMIE website.