The figure was revealed at a meeting of the council’s Children and Young People committee today (Thursday, May 10) where members discussed plans that will see the national entitlement to free early learning and childcare (ELC) for all three and four year olds, and eligible two year olds, almost double from 600 to 1140 hours per year.
The council has until August 2020 to complete the roll out and will deliver the expansion in phases starting in August 2018.
The policy is designed to ensure all children get the best possible start in life and to support working families. It will be delivered in every local authority across Scotland.
Phase one will start in the following Stirling Council nurseries - Bannockburn, Doune, East Plean, Cowie and Park Drive. Childminders in the Bannockburn area and two privately run partner nurseries, The Meadows and Red Kite Community Nursery are also part of phase one.
Phase two will start in August 2019 with the third and final phase starting in August 2020.
In Stirling, the changes mean:
• 1140 hours of free ELC will be phased in from August 2018 to August 2020
• This is an increase from current entitlement of 600 hours to 1140 hours
• The funded entitlement will be available in Stirling Council nurseries and with partner nurseries and childminders
Families will be able to access 25 or 30 free hours a week depending on the number of weeks the nursery is open a year and which nursery parents/carers choose. Parents can also choose to take this in full days or half days or a combination of both.
Convenor of the Children and Young People Committee, Councillor Susan McGill, said: “This increase in hours will have an impact on every child in Stirling and it is pleasing to see such a large financial commitment to help make it a reality.
“Children will have access to more funded hours than they have ever had before. There will also be more choice of providers and flexible models of provision.
“We want Stirling to be a nurturing and respectful place for all children and young people, their families and communities and this builds on our existing high quality and flexible early years provision.”
Vice convenor, Councillor Margaret Brisley added: “Our existing early years care providers deliver a service that is bold and forward thinking. We always want our care to be tailored to the different needs of our children, our families and our communities and the funding for this project will help us achieve that aim.”