North-east politicians call for views on Early Learning Childcare
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Parents in Aberdeenshire are being encouraged to have their say on how Early Learning Childcare (ELC) is delivered across the north-east.
It comes after the Scottish Government announced plans to expand early years childcare in its Programme for Government earlier this month.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said there would be a phased extension of free childcare hours for two-year-olds with those most in need benefitting first.
Currently, local authorities across Scotland provide 1140 hours of free childcare to children aged three and four.
The move is also expected to help support more people back into work.
Now, Aberdeenshire Council is looking for views on how the local authority can better serve parents and children in accessing funded ELC in the north-east.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and SNP group leader cllr Gwyneth Petrie have called on parents to make their views known.
The consultation will help inform planning and delivery of service and is open to participants until Friday, September 29.
Commenting, Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, said: “Many working parents face the challenge of balancing the cost of childcare and providing for their families at the same time.
“The First Minister has committed to the expansion of free childcare hours to ensure that more parents can get back to work and ease the financial burden of being able to do so.
“We know the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact so many people and I am pleased we are taking this next step – the first devolved government in the UK to do so.
“I would also like to encourage parents and carers in Aberdeenshire to put forward their views on the delivery of funded hours by the local authority.
“It is imperative the provision of funding is delivered in a way that is most accessible for parents and children and I would encourage anyone who would benefit from this to take part in the consultation.”
Councillor Gwyneth Petrie said: “The provision of free childcare hours has been game changing for so many families where a parent is looking to continue or return to work, and so the expansion proposal is very welcome.
“For families to receive the biggest benefit from the current free 1140 hours of childcare, it has to be flexible and it has to be accessible.
“To deliver on what families need, the council needs to hear from them about what currently works, and what needs to change, and this consultation is a really important step towards that.”
