The Scottish Government programme will offer almost double the number of free childcare hours – from 600 to 1140 a year by 2020 - for all those aged three and four, and some two-year-olds. It’s aimed at supporting working parents and raising attainment in the crucial early years.
Stirling Council’s phase one of the expansion started in August 2018, in Bannockburn and part of McLaren.
Admissions are now open for phase two of the roll out which will get underway in August 2019. This will see a further 16 local authority nurseries, five funded provider nurseries from the private/not for profit sector and 20 funded childminders across Stirling, Wallace and McLaren join the initiative.
Parents whose children attend Doune Nursery - which is situated in the grounds of Doune Primary School - have encouraged families in the area to sign up to the scheme after their positive experience during phase one.
Fiona Miller said: “I feel the 1140-hour expansion is working well. I think Ruth is happier when I pick her up now because she has had her lunch! She enjoys going down to the school to have lunch with her friends and sometimes she sees her older brother Hugh, which helps with the transition to Primary One.”
Nicola Horsburgh said: “I love this set up. My daughter Alice has so much fun going into the school. It breaks up the day, especially for children staying after lunch. She also loves seeing her big sister for a cuddle.”
Leanne Munnoch, Principal Early Childhood Educator, Doune Nursery, said: “This is a very exciting time for both families and educators within the Early Years.
“The increase in funded hours has enabled some of our parents to return to work or study, knowing their children are in a safe place and not having to pay high childcare fees.
“The change from opening in term time to the extended year is supporting more working families within the local area. Doune has greatly benefitted from the pilot of the 1140 hours expansion, and I am looking forward to seeing the rest of Stirling and Scotland receiving this provision.”
Private providers and not for profit nurseries, along with childminders, are included in each phase of the roll out and are key partners in Stirling Council’s Delivery Plan for the expansion.
Councillor Susan McGill, Convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “Stirling Council is delivering the expansion on a phased basis which means families can benefit from the increase in free hours sooner than 2020.
“It’s fantastic to see such a positive response from parents to the scheme and we expect to see this continue as more nurseries and childminders join the expansion.
“To support provider nurseries, we are increasing the hourly rates for funded places to one of the highest offered to any local authority.
“We have also put in place training opportunities for staff, dedicated quality support officers, a speedy payment system, along with grants to support projects within their nurseries.”
Councillor Margaret Brisley, Vice Convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “The encouraging feedback from parents underlines the benefits of the expansion and shows that our delivery plan is working well.
“Central to that plan is working closely with all providers, including private and not for profit nurseries.
“We recognise this is a time of significant change, and we have taken great care to ensure future local authority provision is closely matched to current demand and levels of choice.
“There are no new build nurseries planned for the expansion and we have avoided large increases in local authority registered places.”
Local authority nurseries in phase one are open 8am to 6pm and open over some term time holidays including the summer.
Admissions for the nurseries and funded providers in phase two are open to families now.
Note: Pictured are happy parents and children at Doune Nursery, with Leanne Munnoch, Principal Early Childhood Educator at the nursery. From left - Angus and Nicola Horsburgh, Carrie and Felicity McMillan, Maya and Amanda Burrows, Fiona and Ruth Miller.