Free care starts in August

The first phase of East Renfrewshire Council’s increase in free earlylearning and childcare in Barrhead and Neilston will be introduced in August.

Local authorities currently provide 600 free hours a year for all three and four-yearolds and eligible two-yearolds.

And as part of changes being introduced by the Scottish Government, this will increase to 1,140 hours by 2020.

East Renfrewshire says it is preparing to roll- out increased provision in phases, with the aim of meeting this target prior to the 2020 deadline.

As well as instantly providing some children and families with increased free early learning and childcare, the phased approach will allow the Council to test new staffing models and introduce hot lunch provision, bosses say.

Arthurlie Family Centre in Barrhead will be among the first to roll-out the increased provision.

These facilities will give parents the opportunity to access sessions matching the school day, have the ability to attend longer sessions if required and also stretch the provision throughout the year, rather than just term time, using a mixture of full and half days, the council says.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, Convener for Education and Equalities, said: “I am delighted that we will now be able to offer increased provision in four of our facilities from the start of the new session in August.

“When our expansion plan was set out we were very clear in our commitment to both meet the increased provision and also maintain the very high standards of learning and care provided in all our Council nursery settings.

“By taking this phased approach it will allow us to monitor its implementation and make improvements .

“We are committed to ensuring our early learning and childcare provision is as affordable as possible for families.”