Highland Perthshire roadshow for parents and carers

Parents and carers in Highland Perthshire can attend a free roadshow today.

The roadshow, which has been rolled out by Perth and Kinross Council, will provide information of additional nursery and childcare hours for children aged three to five and eligible two-year-olds.

A council spokesman said: “The roadshow will explain how the council, working in partnership with partner provider centres and registered childminders, offers options for families to choose from to build the nursery/childcare package which is right for them.

“The additional hours are as a result of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, which is increasing free nursery provision for all children between the ages of three and five, along with eligible twoyear-olds. The change means 1,140 hours of free nursery provision per year for each child.

“The change is expected to be in place by 2020, but some parents in Perth and Kinross will be able to benefit from this in August.”

She continued: “To accommodate the changes, the nursery at Pitlochry High School will offer sessions between 8am and 6pm, and there will be options to take the 1,140 hours over school terms, or over 45 weeks of the year.

“While these changes will come into effect from August, we will continue to review the way the 1,140 hours allocation is managed across Perth and Kinross. Feedback from parents and carers on the way this is being implemented is welcome, and will be used to help shape future delivery of the service.”

The roadshow event will be held at Pitlochry Town Hall between 10am and noon.