Council pledge on extra care hours
Parents in Stirling will be able to access the full 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare from August.
The current requirement for councils to provide 600 hours per year for preschool children was set to be brought up to a minimum of 1140 hours by August.
But that provision was delayed as a result of the pandemic, forcing councils to work with various providers to come up with an alternative solution.
Stirling Council chiefs have now said they are set to offer the full 1140 hours, which will be available across all local authority nurseries, as well as private and voluntary partner settings and partner childminders.
Letters and added guidance have been issued to parents and carers, telling them how the arrangements will work.
Convener of the children and young people committee Susan McGill said: “This has been an uncertain and worrying time for families across Stirling and I am sure they will welcome this announcement.
“The fact we are able to provide this important provision, despite the current challenges, vindicates our phased approach, long-term planning and partnership work with various providers.
“A lot of hard work has also gone on behind the scenes in recent weeks and months and our early learning and childcare teams deserve immense credit for putting these arrangements in place.”
The latest guidance calls for compliance with physical distancing and other safety measures for childcare providers, meaning that only places for the August intake can be confirmed currently.
However, eligible children will be guaranteed a place for January and April.
Committee vice-convener Christine Simpson said: “This is a fast-moving situation and hopefully we will be able to provide confirmation of places to families for the later intakes as soon as possible.
“We will contact parents and carers as new information becomes available and I would like to thank them for their support and understanding during this unprecedented crisis.
“Hopefully the news that we will deliver this transformative programme for all eligible children will provide some reassurance and relief to families at this tough time.”
A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes in recent weeks and months