Scotland puts childcare expansion on hold

The Scottish Government has put the deadline for the rollout of the expansion of early learning and childcare on hold, to support local government with this critical response work.

Last month ministers had said they were on track to deliver the early learning and childcare places from August.

However, ministers have laid an order in the Scottish Parliament to suspend the statutory duty on local authorities, to enable them to focus on the coronavirus pandemic response.

Local authorities had already built or refurbished nursery premises and recruited thousands of staff, in preparation, ‘with 50,000 children already receiving more than the current entitlement of 600 hours’, the  government said.

Separately, Audit Scotland has warned that many local authorities would struggle to roll out the expansion by August.

In a joint statement, minister for children and young people Maree Todd and COSLA spokesperson for children and young people councillor Stephen McCabe, said, ‘That progress was driven by and a testament to the strong partnership working between central and local government throughout the expansion programme. Our commitment to delivering the expansion, and to making sure our children have access to the best support and opportunities for development in their early years, remains undimmed and our partnership working will continue with that aim.

‘However, in these exceptional circumstances it is not realistic or reasonable to expect that local authorities can deliver their original expansion plans to secure high quality experience for all children in time for August this year.  

‘The Covid-19 pandemic has made it impossible to continue with the planned recruitment and infrastructure projects required to support expansion. As we focus on saving lives and looking after people most vulnerable to the virus the immediate priority is to ensure that we have the emergency childcare in place to support families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Tens of thousands of children have already benefited from expanded hours, and we expect this will continue when normal provision resumes.’

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) chief executive, Purnima Tanuku agreed that it would have been  impossible to continue with the plans for recruitment and infrastructure projects, but said the sector should have been consulted.

‘Private and voluntary run ELC settings are part of the essential infrastructure for delivering these places and a lot of work has gone into people’s planning for this.

‘It’s a very challenging time for both parents and providers so they will all need supporting now to make sure that nurseries are in a position to be able to offer essential childcare when the country gets back to business as usual.

‘Many of our member nurseries have already told us they fear they will not exist as businesses in a few months’ time. We want to see local authorities working closely with all types of provider to make sure they can continue to pay their overheads, especially those who were not involved in “phasing in” the expanded hours.’

It was crucial that local authorities and the Scottish Government work together with the sector to mitigate the negative impact that this decision will have in tandem with the current crisis.

Money that had been set aside for the ELC expansion must be used to support the sector in both the short term, so they can remain open for key workers’ children, and their longer term survival, she said.