Perth and Kinross Council will not be extending a service level agreement with the Scottish Childminding Association due to cuts in funding. The council have said the move is not a cut to front-line services but it has been condemned by us, the childminders. We are backed by Labour councillors and Councillor Alexander Stewart, Tory group leader in Perth and Kinross. The post of Childminding Development Officer helps to improve the service that childminders provide to the public through promoting training which is specific to childminders. The officer liaises with the Care Commission to maintain and improve the standard and service provided to families for more than 200 childminders in the Perth and Kinross area. The Development Officer assists in the recruiting and training of new Childminders and provides front line support to existing Childminders. Childminders in the Perth & Kinross area provide a service for at least 1000 children. Please assist your local childminders, please add your name to this petition and show Perth & Kinross Council that they are making an error by cutting funding.