Childminding workforce trends qualitative research report
This study was commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the range of factors that may be contributing to the decline in the Scottish childminder workforce in order to identify ways to better recruit, support and retain them.
Appendix 1: Recruitment emails
Prospective childminders
Dear _______,
Help us understand trends in the childminding workforce
Ipsos MORI are carrying out research on trends in the childminding workforce, including understanding why childminders stop childminding, and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession. The project aims to better understand the reasons behind a decline in numbers in the profession in order to better recruit, support and retain childminders.
The project is being undertaken by Ipsos MORI for the Scottish Government, the Scottish Childminding Association and The Care Inspectorate.
How can you help?
Ipsos MORI would really like to talk to:
- People that considered becoming a childminder in that last two years (but then decided not to)
If this describes you, and you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Ipsos MORI at the email below.
What's involved?
Eligible participants will be invited to take part in a one-to-one phone interview with a researcher, or an online focus group with other childminders (on Zoom). These will take place from 28th June to mid-August 2021.
During the group discussion or interview, the researchers will ask about your experiences and views on things like why you thought about becoming a childminder, what shaped your decision not to, and what might encourage more people to become childminders.
Phone interviews will last about 45mins to 1 hour and the focus groups 1.5 hours (interviews can be in the daytime or evening and focus groups will be in the evening). You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.
If you would like to take part, please contact [email address].
The research team want to ensure they speak to a mix of people across Scotland.
[Researcher name] will therefore be in touch to check a few details and let you know if you meet the criteria to take part.
What happens next?
Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. Taking part in the research is completely voluntary. If you agree to take part, you are free to change your mind at any time without giving us a reason. We have a privacy policy for the project.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact [Researcher name at email address] by 12th July 2021.
New childminders
Dear _______,
Help us understand trends in the childminding workforce
Ipsos MORI are carrying out research on trends in the childminding workforce, including understanding why childminders stop childminding, and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession. The project aims to better understand the reasons behind a decline in numbers in the profession in order to better recruit, support and retain childminders.
The project is being undertaken by Ipsos MORI for the Scottish Government, the Scottish Childminding Association and The Care Inspectorate.
How can you help?
Ipsos MORI would really like to talk to:
- People that started working as a childminder in the last three years or so
If this describes you, and you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Ipsos MORI at the email below.
What's involved?
Eligible participants will be invited to take part in a one-to-one phone interview with a researcher, or an online focus group with other childminders (on Zoom). These will take place from 28th June to mid-August 2021.
During the group discussion or interview, the researchers will ask about your experiences and views on things like why you decided to become a childminder, what shaped your decision, what it's like being a childminder, and what might encourage more people to become childminders.
Phone interviews will last about 45mins to 1 hour and the focus groups 1.5 hours (interviews can be in the daytime or evening and focus groups will be in the evening). You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.
If you would like to take part, please contact [email address].
The research team want to ensure they speak to a mix of people across Scotland. [Researcher name] will therefore be in touch to check a few details and let you know if you meet the criteria to take part.
What happens next?
Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. Taking part in the research is completely voluntary. If you agree to take part, you are free to change your mind at any time without giving us a reason. We have a privacy policy for the project.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact [Researcher name at email address] by 12th July 2021.
Childminders who are considering leaving the profession
Dear _______,
Help us understand trends in the childminding workforce
Ipsos MORI are carrying out research on trends in the childminding workforce, including understanding why childminders stop childminding, and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession. The project aims to better understand the reasons behind a decline in numbers in the profession in order to better recruit, support and retain childminders.
The project is being undertaken by Ipsos MORI for the Scottish Government, the Scottish Childminding Association and The Care Inspectorate
How can you help?
Ipsos MORI would really like to talk to:
- Childminders that are considering stopping childminding in the next three years or so.
- Ideally, we are hoping to reach childminders at all career stages who may be thinking about stopping (not including people who are considering stopping simply because they are reaching retirement age. However, if you are thinking about retiring earlier than you expected to, then the research team would like to talk to you).
If this describes you, and you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Ipsos MORI at the email below. Also, if you know another childminder considering leaving, please do spread the word and forward this information.
What's involved?
Eligible participants will be invited to take part in a one-to-one phone interview with a researcher, or an online focus group with other childminders (on Zoom). These will take place from 28th June to mid-August 2021.
During the group discussion or interview, the researchers will ask about your experiences and views on things like why you became a childminder, what it's like being a childminder, and what factors have made you think you may want to stop childminding.
Phone interviews will last about 45mins to 1 hour and the focus groups 1.5 hours (interviews can be in the daytime or evening and focus groups will be in the evening). You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.
If you would like to take part, please contact [email address].
The research team want to ensure they speak to a mix of people across Scotland. [Researcher name] will therefore be in touch to check a few details and let you know if you meet the criteria to take part.
What happens next?
Ipsos MORI will use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. Taking part in the research is completely voluntary. If you agree to take part, you are free to change your mind at any time without giving us a reason. We have a privacy policy for the project.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact [Researcher name at email address] by 12th July 2021.
Former childminders
Dear _______,
Help us understand trends in the childminding workforce
Ipsos MORI are carrying out research on trends in the childminding workforce, including understanding why childminders stop childminding, and the barriers to new childminders entering the profession. The project aims to better understand the reasons behind a decline in numbers in the profession in order to better recruit, support and retain childminders.
The project is being undertaken by Ipsos MORI for the Scottish Government, the Scottish Childminding Association and The Care Inspectorate.
How can you help?
Ipsos MORI would really like to talk to:
- Former childminders that left the profession in the last 3 years or so
If this describes you, and you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Ipsos MORI at the email address below. Also, if you know someone else that stopped childminding in the past 3 years or so, please do spread the word and forward this information.
What's involved?
Eligible participants will be invited to take part in a one-to-one phone interview with a researcher, or an online focus group with other former childminders (on Zoom). These will take place from 28th June to mid-August 2021.
During the group discussion or interview, the researchers will ask about your experiences and views on things like why you decided to become a childminder, what shaped your decision to stop childminding, and what might encourage people to join or stay in the profession.
Phone interviews will last about 45mins to 1 hour and the focus groups 1.5 hours (interviews can be in the daytime or evening and focus groups will be in the evening). You will receive £30 as a thank you for your time.
If you would like to take part, please contact [email address].
The research team want to ensure they speak to a mix of people across Scotland. [Researcher name] will therefore be in touch to check a few details and let you know if you meet the criteria to take part.
What happens next?
Ipsos MORI use information from the interviews and groups to write a report for the Scottish Government that will be published but will not include anything that could identify you. Everything you say will be confidential and your data will be stored securely. With your permission, the discussions will be audio recorded. Only the research team will have access to the recording and all data will be securely destroyed after completion of the research. Taking part in the research is completely voluntary. If you agree to take part, you are free to change your mind at any time without giving us a reason. We have a privacy policy for the project.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact [Researcher name at email address] by 12th July 2021.
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot
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