SCMA has submitted a response on behalf of our membership on the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare, Scottish Government Consultation. The closing date for responses is today - 9 January 2017. We would encourage as many members as possible to have their say and respond to this consultation, which
seeks views on the wide range of policy options available to deliver the Scottish Government’s commitment to almost double free early learning and childcare to 1140 hours per year by 2020.
Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald, said:
“We know the early years are a crucial time in every child’s life and evidence shows that access to high quality early learning and childcare (ELC) is key to improving attainment. By giving Scotland’s young people the best possible start in life we can ensure they develop the skills and confidence they need to reach their full potential.
“Parents and carers also benefit from a high quality, flexible system of ELC as it helps to support routes in to work, training or further study which may not have previously been accessible. That is why the Scottish Government is committed to almost doubling the free ELC entitlement to 1140 hours per year by 2020. We are at a pivotal moment in developing the policy approach which will determine how the expansion is delivered, and I recently announced a number of trials to test new ways of providing childcare.
“At the same time, we are also formally consulting on the wide range of policy options available to us, for example whether childminders or organisations with a wider social remit, such as charities or social enterprises, have a greater role to play."
To read the Scottish Government press release CLICK HERE.