Trust aims to extend hours of free childcare at Tobermory unit

MULL and Iona Community Trust is working in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council to offer extended childcare at Tobermory pre-fives unit during term time and school holidays.

This is part of the Scottish Government’s Early Learning and Childcare Trials which will test a variety of models around the country for delivering 1,140 hours free childcare.

The Scottish Government has committed to providing 1,140 hours of free childcare for three- to five-year- olds from 2020, and the trials will inform how this provision is rolled out.

Caroline Wood, a director of the Mull and Iona Community Trust and a former teacher, said: ‘Lack of childcare on the islands has been something that the trust has been looking to address for a number of years, and we are delighted to be the only third-sector organisation taking part in these trials.

‘Taking part in the trial provides us with a real opportunity to demonstrate the demand for additional flexible childcare.’

The community trust is currently in the process of registering its childcare service ‘Mini Muileachs’ and is recruiting a manager and staff (see page 22).

The trials are due to commence in the 2017 summer holidays, running through to June 2018. Although first priority will be given to those registered for pre-fives at Tobermory from August 2017, children registered at other pre-fives units on Mull will also be able to access additional hours if required.

Parents of eligible children should already have received an information leaflet explaining how the trials will operate, or further information can be found at www.mict.co.uk/projects- services/childcare.

In the longer term, the community trust is exploring the possibility of developing a community nursery facility. It is looking for interested people to join the steering group for this new development.

For more, contact Laura Percy at enquiries@mict.co.uk.