Early Learning and Childcare Business Support Programme (Skills for Growth)
Skills Development Scotland (SDS), in partnership with Scottish Government, is delivering a fully-funded programme of business support. This is designed specifically for Scottish childcare employers in the private and voluntary sector.
Based on our Skills for Growth model, the programme offers specialist consultancy support to childcare employers in Scotland. We'll review your business' challenges, prioritise actions and point you towards services in relation to people, skills and organisational development.
We have 30 places available! We'd love to hear from Early Learning and Childcare providers who think they'd benefit from the programme. There's no cost to your business – all you need is a little time and an open mind.
Here's what you'll get from our programme
- a dedicated SDS specialist who'll act as your single point of contact during the Skills for Growth service.
- Specialist business consultancy that focuses on the 'people and skills' activity within your organisation.
- A detailed skills action plan that analyses your current position and recommends areas you could develop.
- Ongoing support to help identify publicly funded or commercial services that could help your business achieve
What do we need from you?
- Up to two days of virtual and in-person access to your key staff for consultant interviews. These interviews typically last one or two hours for managers and 20 to 30 minutes for frontline employees. You should select employees from a variety of levels and roles across your organisation. Interviews must take place between September and December 2025.
- A growth mindset! Sometimes, staff engagement activities can throw up some unexpected themes than owners and managers may find challenging to hear. In the spirit of ongoing growth and development, participants should enter the process with an open mind.
Skills for Growth case study – Balgillo Nurseries, Dundee
“Taking part in this programme was extremely worthwhile. The support from Skills Development Scotland was tailored to us. Time was taken to really get to know our business, our team and the challenges we were facing at that time.
The advice given helped us focus on the areas that would make the biggest difference in what is always a fast-changing early years environment. It was a very positive experience from start to finish."
Balgillo Nurseries, Dundee
Benefits reported by other businesses who have participated in Skills For Growth include:
- increased employee engagement
- greater productivity
- better relationships between staff and management
- greater innovation and idea generation
- increased staff retention.