Council chiefs under pressure over childcare

Parents want authority to rethink roll-out in Fife

Fife Council is under increasing pressure from parents to rethink its roll out of 1,140 hours of free childcare.

From August, free childcare will be doubled for all three and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds.

But parents in the kingdom have claimed the council is unable to ensure that returning children will secure a place at the same nursery and there are fears siblings will have to be accommodated at different settings.

The council said it has completed a “huge amount of work” on building and refurbishing nursery infrastructure ahead of the roll-out.

Shelagh McLean, Fife Council’s head of education and children’s services, said: “What we have done is try to make sure that there are at least three different options in each area. In rural areas options to access 1,140 hours will still be available to all.”

Fife parents say the council’s attempt to roll out 1,140 hours of free childcare is causing anxiety and uncertainty among families.

One parent who spoke to The Courier said there were fears children already settled in nurseries attached to primary schools might have to relocate in their pre-school year.

Parents have said the increased hours will ultimately lead to a reduction in places available at council nurseries, and raised concerns about the hours being offered, claiming they do not fit around the working day and could lead to an increased reliance on private nurseries.

A petition has been launched by parents in west Fife who have accused Fife Council of failing to deliver the Scottish Government’s Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) policy.

One of the parents behind the petition said: “Removing children from a familiar nursery setting by reducing access to those places is not GIRFEC.

“Providing greater flexibility for parents to choose multiple providers for their early years education is also a key component of the legislation – the lack of engagement with childminders within Fife completely undermines the basic premise of the policy.”

Samantha Young, who started the petition, said: “It is causing so much stress and anxiety to parents.

“The infrastructure is not there and neither is common sense.”

Another parent, who asked not to be named, said: “Most other local authorities have invested in their school estates to ensure that they can offer priority to returners in their admissions process but Fife Council haven’t.”

The council says it has “done a huge amount of work” on new builds, extensions and refurbishments to expand nursery provision.

The options the authority is offering include 9am to 3pm five days a week for 38 weeks of the year, two and a half full days a week for 46 weeks and half day sessions for 49 weeks.

Shelagh McLean, Fife Council’s head of education and children’s services, said: “There is no ideal standard which will be suitable for every family and their needs. What we have done is try to make sure there are at least three different options in each area. ”

Ms McLean dismissed claims that places would be offered on a first come, first served basis.

“We prioritise children with any additional needs first and then try, where possible, to allocate to children locally,” she said.

“It is causing so much stress and anxiety to parents. SAMANTHA YOUNG