‘Too early’ to decide if kids will get their 1,140 nursery hours

Plans for expansion up in the air due to coronavirus

Renfrewshire Council bosses have said they do not know what will happen to the expansion of early learning and childcare hours following the rapid outbreak of coronavirus.

The Scottish Government previously announced it would be expanding the provision of free childcare to all three and four year olds, along with eligible two year olds, from 600 hours to 1,140 hours per year from August.

However, it has now been confirmed by ministers that councils are no longer legally obliged to deliver this, so they can focus on responding to the pandemic.

As part of the response to the outbreak, all schools and nurseries have been closed for the time being.

Some parents who are deemed as key workers are still able to send their children to select schools that have remained open as childcare hubs.

A council spokesman said: “The announcement gives local authorities greater flexibility at this difficult time.

“While it is too early to say what this might mean for the 1,140 expansion in Renfrewshire, we will let parents know as soon as any decisions are made.”

Some elected members had previously expressed fears that the council would not be ready to deliver the extra provision by August, but bosses insisted they were on track to give families what was promised.

Extensions and refurbishments were planned for 26 early learning and childcare centres across the area and nine have already been completed.

The council said it has already recruited 60 per cent of the required staff for the expansion.

A joint statement from Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd and the COSLA spokesman for children and young people, Stephen McCabe, said the pandemic has made it impossible to continue with recruitment and infrastructure work.

It said: “In these exceptional circumstances, it is not realistic or reasonable to expect local authorities can deliver their original expansion plans to secure high-quality experience for all children in time for August this year.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has made it impossible to continue with the planned recruitment and infrastructure projects required to support expansion.

“Tens of thousands of children have already benefited from expanded hours, and we expect this will continue when normal provision resumes.

“Once there is a clearer picture of the impact and duration of the pandemic response measures, we will work together to agree the right time to reinstate the statutory requirement.”

We will let parents know as soon as any decisions are made Renfrewshire Council