Massive boost in free childcare in pipeline

Parents in Renfrewshire are in line for a childcare boost with a big investment in funding.

Education bosses revealed childcare spending will double to £840 million a year by 2021-22.

The SNP-led Government has reaffirmed its pledge of 1,140 hours – around 30 hours a week – of free early learning and childcare from August 2020.

The move will ensure learning and care is available for all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds and is expected to save parents around £350 per child, per month.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“Currently we deliver around 16 hours of early education and childcare a week.

“But some parents still struggle to find and fund the childcare they need to allow them to work. We are going to change that.

“By 2020, we will deliver 30 hours a week for every three and four year old and eligible two year olds. It will give children the best start in life. It will free parents to find work. And each month it will save families around £350 per child on the costs of childcare.

“Over the past few months, we have undertaken detailed work to assess the investment needed.

“Right now, we invest around £420 million a year. By the end of this parliament, that will double to £840 million a year.”

Free early learning and childcare is available to all three and four- year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.