The Executive has set a target for qualified childcare staff of 85 per cent of the workforce by 2009. Staff in both the voluntary and the private sector will be helped to meet the standards for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Local authorities are to receive the ring-fenced 12m between 2006 and 2008 and the SSSC will begin registering early education and childcare workers at the end of 2006. Workers who apply for registration but who do not hold existing qualifications must achieve the required qualifications within three years.
The funding was announced by Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People, at the SSSC annual conference in Edinburgh last week.
Mr Peacock said, 'Good quality pre-school education and childcare can make a key contribution to a child's early development by building a good foundation for future learning. It is vital that all childcarers are equipped to meet children's physical, educational, social and emotional needs.
'Parents need to know their children are cared for by professionals. By registering the early years and childcare workforce with the SSSC, we can strengthen parents' confidence. They will know that staff have proved they have the skills to ensure children are safe and supported.
'I want to move towards the entire workforce either holding a childcare qualification, or working towards having one.'
Alice Sharp, owner of training organisation Experiential Play, who attended the SSSC conference, said the announcement was received positively. She said, 'The 300 delegates seemed to be very supportive of the 85 per cent target.
'However, I am concerned about older members of staff who may have been working in the sector for a long time but are scared of taking qualifications. We could lose a lot of practitioners, so the Government needs to look at ways of recognising prior experience.
'I would also like to see some of the money used for continuous career development for qualified staff to update their skills.'
Meanwhile, the Edinburgh Childcare Partnership's Workforce Development initiative has received a funding boost of 83,317 to assist childcare managers in their vocational development.
The money, which comes from the European Social Fund, will be used to offer free access to training courses and bursaries to lead practitioners and managers. Courses will include level 4-plus qualifications and continuing professional development for existing qualified workers.
