Parents who delay school offered free childcare in Scotland

Free childcare will be offered to all parents who delay their children’s start to primary school, the Scottish Government has announced.

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From August 2023, parents who defer their child's school start will have an automatic right to an extra year of free nursery education.

The parent of a child that is still four-years-old on the day they are supposed to start primary school, can defer entry for a year.

Currently only children born in January or February are eligible to free childcare, with councils deciding if others qualify but from August 2023, the decision will no longer be the responsibility of councils.

Scotland's children’s minister Maree Todd said: "This will ensure that all children who defer will have an equal right to continue with funded ELC [early learning and childcare] if their parent or carer feels it is in their best interests.

"The COVID-19 pandemic meant that we had to delay moving to the new statutory entitlement of 1,140 hours of funded ELC for all eligible children, and I will soon be able to confirm when delivery of this transformational policy will happen.

"Introducing expanded eligibility for deferral from August 2023 is a realistic timetable that will ensure we are ready to deliver."

The Scottish Government is urging all families considering deferral to contact their local authority and visit the Parent Club website for details.