Childminders look after more than 22,000 children

The survey also suggested that the number of childminders north of the border has fallen by almost a quarter over the last five years.

The statistics have prompted calls for action from the Scottish National Party.

Spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop said more needed to be done to attract more people into the job - and ensure that they have qualifications.

The survey was the first carried out by the Scottish Executive since 1996, although the total number of childminders was counted two years later.

It found that 99% of the 6,211 people working as childminders in Scotland in January were female.

Experience

They cared for approximately 22,561 children - an average of four per childminder.

A quarter of them have been in the job for between six and 10 years, while a third have two to five years' experience.

However, 78% of childminders have no qualifications which relate to childcare.

It is imperative for our children's development and the economic future of our country that childcare is moved up the political agenda Fiona Hyslop SNP spokeswoman

More than 90% do not offer childminding in the evenings, although more than half offer services before school, after school and every weekday morning and afternoon.

Ms Hyslop said it was "very worrying" that almost 80% of childminders did not have relevant qualifications.

"Childcare plays a vital part in allowing parents to go back to work, which will help to reduce the number of children living in poverty, but we have to make sure that our children are being cared for by properly qualified people," said the SNP MSP.

"Other European countries, such as Sweden, manage childcare more successfully and the executive should take a leaf out of their book and improve facilities in Scotland to meet demand from parents.

"We have to take childcare as a serious issue. It is imperative for our children's development and the economic future of our country that childcare is moved up the political agenda."

'Other training'

However a Scottish Executive spokeswoman said childminders were regulated at a national level.

"Childminding is regulated by the Care Commission and subject to National Care standards which assure quality," she said.

"To register with the commission, childminders must show they have a good understanding of childrens' development and learning needs, and that they promote childrens' safety, health and general well-being.