The overwhelming impression from the recent Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Focus Groups, hosted by the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee was:
“That private providers and childminders do not feel they are being treated as partners, or valuable contributors, by some local authorities in the provision of the 1140 Government policy. The way the policy is being implemented in some areas is creating a hierarchy of forms of childcare with local authority provision prioritised and others being required to fill any remaining gaps. By contrast local authorities such as Angus and Stirling were praised for their innovation, forward planning and ability to involve all partners from an early stage.”
Clare Adamson MSP, Convener of the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee has stated this conclusion in a letter addressed to Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Children and Young People.
Click here to read this letter.
The evidence that was given is now greatly assisting the Committee in its scrutiny of the expansion of funded ELC. Here is
the link to the video of the Chamber debate where a number of the contributions at the Focus Groups were raised in speeches by members.
Click here to view the notes of the focus group meeting are available on the Scottish Parliament website.
The Education and Skills Committee now intends to monitor the implementation 1140 and has requested a response from the Minister on the issues raised in the letter and in the Focus Group notes including details of actions being taken at Scottish Government level. A response to the letter has been requested by 17 December 2018.