Children from Scotland's poorest families to get free wraparound childcare

Children from the lowest income families in Scotland will receive free childcare before and after school and during holidays, the country’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaking in Scottlsh Parliament on 7 September. Credit: Scottish Parliament.TV

In the ‘A Fairer, Greener Scotland: Programme for Government 2021-22’ plan published this week, Nicola Sturgeon promised: ‘Those on the lowest incomes will pay nothing, and others will make fair and affordable contributions’.

The Scottish Government plans to publish a five-year delivery plan for building a system of wraparound school age childcare.

Speaking at Indigo out of school care in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said: "Over the last 18 months, the world, and our own individual places within it, have changed immeasurably.

"While the pandemic may have defined our lives for those dark and difficult months, our Programme for Government looks to secure a brighter and fairer future for Scotland.

"We know that children and young people have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and we are more determined than ever to help them flourish and reach their full potential.

"Our new system of wraparound childcare – providing children with access to a wide range of activities while enabling parents to have secure and stable employment – is just one example of how we’re making this happen.

"We will redouble efforts to tackle the inequalities that continue to blight our society – eradicating poverty and discrimination, and ensuring opportunity is never limited by economic or social circumstance.”

Funded childcare cannot threaten sustainability of nurseries

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland said: “Any proposal to support children and families with much-needed wraparound and holiday care is positive news, but only if it is adequately funded.”

Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is available to all three-and-four year olds and eligible two-year-olds in Scotland. From August 2021, the entitlement increased to 1,140 hours a year (which equates to 30 hours a week if used during school term-time or around 22 hours a week if used year-round).

Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘Programme for Scotland’ plan is looking to expand funded ELC for one and two-year-olds, starting with low income households within this Parliament. The Scottish Government stated it will start talking with families, the early learning sector and academics ‘to design how the new offer will work’.

NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said: “Providers of early learning and childcare places have supported the ongoing expansion of funded ELC because of the difference it makes to children’s learning and development. However, this cannot happen in a way that threatens the sustainability of those settings delivering these places.

“We know the existing take-up of funded places for eligible two-year olds is low and there are measures that can be taken to support private and voluntary providers to help promote and deliver these already.

“There are still ongoing concerns about the current increase of funded hours which must be addressed before the Scottish Government moves into further expansion plans.”

click here for more details or to contact The Indigo Childcare Group