early learning and childcare policy july 2015 susan bolt scottish government...
TRANSCRIPT
Early Learning and Childcare
We aim to:• Improve outcomes for all children,
especially our most vulnerable and disadvantaged
• Support parents to work, train, or study, especially those who need routes into sustainable employment and out of poverty
Early Learning and Childcare
We know that:• High quality early learning and childcare
can benefit all children; especially those who are most disadvantaged
• The cost and inflexibility of early learning and childcare is a major concern for families and a barrier to work for many parents, especially lone parents
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
Since August 2014, 16 hours a week of early learning and childcare has been available for:• 3 and 4 year olds• 2 year olds who are looked after, under a
kinship care or guardianship order• Around 15% of 2 year olds with a parent in
receipt of certain out of work benefits, as defined by DWP
27% 2 year olds
From August 2015, entitlement will be extended to 2 year olds from low income families under Free School Lunch qualifying criteria not already covered by out of work benefits.
I
Identifying and validating children
• Marketing campaign August and November 2014; and, July 2015
• Local marketing
• Self referral and use of outreach – health visitors, local job centre plus, third sector
Flexibility
• Under 475 hours / week of pre-school education, recognition that default model of 2 ½ hours a day does not support parents with employment, training or studying
• Act requires local authorities to provide flexibility and choice, moving away from the default model to providing other models, e.g. 4 – 6 – 8 hour days
Minimum Framework
• No less than 2 ½ hours a day or more than 8 hours a day
• Minimum of 38 weeks a year• Use of partner providers• May still need wrap around / purchasing
additional hours
Implementation
• Time to re-configure services• Year one has been predominately 3 hours
and 10 mins / day• Year on year incremental increase to
range of options• Informed by statutory consultation at least
once every 2 years – establish on-going dialogue locally with parents
30 hours by 2020
Commitment to increase hours to 30 / week by the end of the next Parliament• Planning already underway• Shifts system from a default part time
system to a default full time system• Consultation – starting with parents• Key delivery partners
Key messages• We want to support parents with work,
training and study• Opportunity to contribute to a package of
support for parents seeking work• There are also opportunities to engage
parents with family support through local authority and 3rd sector sevices
• Further information from local authorities and the Family Information Service (FIS)
Further support with costs
• Parents eligible for Working Tax Credit and working at least 16 hours / week can receive up to 70% of costs to a maximum of £175 / week per child; or, £300 / week for two or more children
• With introduction of Universal Credit, the 16 hours / week rule will be removed (but parents will still need to be working); and, the threshold will rise to 85% of costs with maximum amounts remaining the same.
Going Forward
Consider how best to evaluate implementation of policy going forward – data and information
Promote and share good practice and good news stories/ case studies
Further information
• Statutory Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare
• http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00457025.pdf
• Building the Ambition• http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00458
455.pdf