Aunt Cathy's Childminding Service

👔 In the next few days, some retailers will begin their sales for back-to-school uniform (we know, we know - it does feel early to talk about, when summer hasn't started yet!)

It can be a stressful time budgeting for the return to school, whilst also planning summer activities for your family (not to mention the snack requirements🫣)... but, did you know - a lot of families are eligible for government grants to help with things like school uniforms, and don't know they're eligible to apply?

👉 Check out Parent Club Scotland's webpage to find out about the School Clothing Grant, as well as other financial support options your family may be able to apply for: https://f.mtr.cool/nzijushcfj

Applications can be made through your local authority, so check in with your local council to see eligibility criteria. Payments are usually made during July or August, but again, these can vary depending on your area.

📣 Don't forget to share this information with your networks!

🚨Social media will be banned for children under-16, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed today.

The PM announced that Britain will follow Australia in prohibiting teenagers from using apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.

He told a No10 press conference: “I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children – and that is why this ban must happen, and that is why this ban will happen.”

The ban and a range of other curbs will kick in from spring next year at the earliest.

Education services will not be banned and nor will music streaming apps.

The PM said: “Today is a big moment for our country. This is a big step, real change for our children and our future.

“Because today I can announce that the government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16.”

Sir Keir said that the decision is not “cost free” and admitted that social media has done some good.

But he slammed the “addictive” technology that is robbing children of their childhood and damaging their mental health.

He said: “Social media is making children unhappy. It’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health, exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that’s what grabs the attention.

“It’s designed to be addictive – of course it is. Features like the infinite scroll, they’re designed to lock you in for hours, and if nothing else, there’s an opportunity cost to that.

“It stops children doing their homework, reading, playing with their friends outside, and going to bed at a decent hour.”

Sir Keir insisted today that he is “confident this ban will be effective”, although admitted some will clearly get around it.

The current minimum age for accessing the sites is on average 13 years old.

Last night, Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said: “It’s shameful it’s taken the Prime Minister’s job to be on the line for the Government to finally U-turn. Three times Labour voted against a ban.”

However the he Molly Rose Foundation, set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content online, said a social media ban “will fail to tackle fundamental product safety risks issues and leaves parents with a false sense of safety”.

Chief executive Andy Burrows said: “A majority of children will continue to use high-risk sites that will have no incentive to implement robust protections.

“This is not what online safety experts believe will work and is necessary. Keir Starmer has chosen to abdicate responsibility for tackling harmful algorithms and his legacy will be setting back children’s safety by years.”

15 June 2026

Following recent incidents involving E-scooters, we would like to provide information about their safe and lawful use.

Although these vehicles can be legally purchased in Scotland, they are illegal to ride on public roads, pavements and other public places. They can only lawfully be used on private land with landowner’s permission.

Please consider the dangers of E-scooters and remember that anyone purchasing one has a responsibility to be aware of the law and implications.

Riders are often uninsured, unprotected and inexperienced. Travelling at high speeds, instability and poor visibility increases the risk of serious injury. Illegal use in shared spaces puts pedestrians and other road users at risk.

Enforcement action can be taken against the rider and those who purchase these machines. Police can lawfully seize E-scooters when used illegally.

For more information, please see the Department of Transport and Motor Insurance Bureau pages using the below links:

https://orlo.uk/yII0u

https://orlo.uk/ZqJp1

Training day done n dusted. ✅
Always gr8 when you finish a little bit early tho.
previously known as when I first did it in 2016.
Solihull has always left an impression on me, the best course any person cud ever do, not just child carers, but teachers and even parents cud learn so much from it!
Thanx to the awesome trainers for today, Linda McCulloch and Vicki Dunn.






Scottish Childminding Association
The Scottish Government
Early Years Scotland
Care Inspectorate

Preparing snack by themselves. “F” did really well, even with her splint.
It was mostly healthy, but as a treat for all their hard work during the week, they wer allowed a scraping of chocolate spread on their wraps, jst as a one-off.
Followed by lots of outdoor play in the garden.







Scottish Childminding Association
The Scottish Government
Early Years Scotland
Care Inspectorate

Forgot to post these the end of last week, finishing off our
We had lots of discussion over some scenarios, then sorting activities on “safe” and “unsafe”.
Talked abt road safety, F enjoyed our hand holding activity and reading our Road Safety books.
Child Accident Prevention Trust








Scottish Childminding Association
The Scottish Government
Early Years Scotland
Care Inspectorate