Early Learning and Childcare Policy July 2015 Susan Bolt Scottish Government

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 3 rd 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 pdfhttp:// 025.pdf Building the Ambition pdfhttp:// 455.pdf