The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Delay in provision of extra nursery hours for some Fife children
Restrictions applied due to pandemic as council promises a gradual phase-in
Provision of additional nursery time which was to begin in August will be delayed for many Fife children.
The number of hours of early learning and childcare which each three and four-year-old child is entitled is to almost double from 600 hours to 1,140 hours annually.
But some parents will be told this week that their children will still only be offered 600 hours for the time being as buildings are not ready.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government revoked its requirement for local authorities to deliver the increased provision from August.
Fife Council said it will still offer 1,140 hours at some nurseries from August, but at others only 600 hours will be provided. Some places will also temporarily be at an alternative location.
Construction and renovation of nurseries and kitchens has been
“
Work is being done to limit changes to original plans wherever possible, and to deliver 1,140 hours in many nurseries from August 2020.
SHELAGH MCLEAN
suspended in line with government coronavirus guidance, so some will not be completed in time.
Shelagh Mclean, head of education and children’s services, said: “Plans to phase 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare are continuing where possible.
“In light of the pandemic, the Scottish Government has advised that local authorities are no longer legally obliged to deliver 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare from August 2020.
“The most significant impact of the pandemic on nursery plans in Fife relate to delays to the buildings works and refurbishments needed to provide the increase in nursery hours.
“However, work is being done to limit changes to original plans wherever possible, and to deliver 1,140 hours in many nurseries from August 2020.
“Where this is not possible, 600 hours of ELC will be provided initially in some nurseries, and this will then switch over to 1,140 as building works are complete.
“Parents will receive letters this week with news of their children’s nursery places.”
Applications for 5,885 places at the region’s nurseries were made for the 2020/21 session and parents and carers are receiving letters this week informing them of their offer.