More childcare hours are on the way

A campaign highlighting an increased entitlement of early learning and childcare for Monklands families has been launched.

From August next year, all eligible two- year- olds, and kids aged from three years to those not yet attending primary school, will see their eligible hours rise from 600 to 1140 a year.

The eye-catching campaign aims to encourage take- up of funded places at nurseries, family learning centres or childminders.

A new dedicated website – www. northlanarkshire.gov.uk/elc – has also been developed with all the information parents and providers need, enabling them to identify the potential nurseries or childminders they would like to request a funded place with for their child.

Councillor Frank McNally, convener of education and families, said: “The changes mean that parents will have far greater flexibility in their choice of early learning and childcare provision.

“Our aim is to make sure that all parents and carers are aware of these exciting changes and are provided with more choice.

“To support the plans, we are building new nurseries and adapting existing facilities.

“We’ve been working hard to get everything in place as part of our overall drive to close the povertyrelated attainment gap while providing high- quality learning environments.”

In addition to the publicity campaign, the council is also inviting providers registered with the Care

Inspectorate, and operating within North Lanarkshire, to express their interest in becoming suppliers for the new 1140 hours service.

This can be submitted via Public Contracts Scotland at www. publiccontractsscotland. gov. uk/ search/ show/ search_ view. aspx?ID=OCT370160

The deadline for tender submissions is 12 noon this Friday.

The development of early learning and childcare is part of a Scottish government policy to increase free childcare by 2020.