Rennie nursery challenge to SNP

THE LibDems are making a “big liberal offer to all families” to increase childcare, leader Willie Rennie has said.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat said all two-year-olds in Scotland should benefit from 1140 hours of free early years learning – the same amount the Scottish Government has already pledged for three and four year olds and some two years olds.

The LibDems would expand nursery education, making it more flexible and giving parents greater choice.

Rennie also promised his party would end the financial penalty in additional nursery fees some parents face if they choose to defer when their child starts school.

LibDems hope the package of measures, announced in the run-up to the May 6 Scottish Parliament election, will appeal to voters who have previously backed Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP.

Mr Rennie said: “I want to put recovery first to close the attainment gap and help children bounce back from the disruption to their learning.

“Thanks to the Scottish Liberal Democrats, two year olds from poorer backgrounds are already entitled to funded childcare.

“This should help improve their chances, but uptake in Scotland is only half what it is in England. The outreach work hasn’t been done, meaning many parents don’t even know about the entitlement.

“Extending childcare to all two-year-olds will boost uptake, help close the poverty-related attainment gap and help parents who want to return to work.”