Early learning is so important
PROFESSOR Bronwen J Cohen states that the SNP offer a high quality Early Childhood Education and Care (EHEC) system following EU practice (“Questions to answer about future of childcare after referendum”, Agenda, The Herald, August 15). This is not evident at this time.
Holyrood funds a few hundred hours of childcare, but there is no nationwide professionally-staffed early years preschool childcare/ development programme operating to a uniform standard covering all the hours of the normal working day. Holyrood has long had the power to set in train the introduction of suitable ECEC, but left it as an entry in its manifesto for independence, Scotland’s Future – a tad cynical it might be thought.
Whatever, Prof Cohen is right to raise the issue again, and it is to be hoped that whatever the result of the independence referendum vote, Holyrood will give it priority, even if financing has to be diverted from other welfare programmes. Every child needs the best learning head start that can be provided, irrespective of the parent’s ability to pay. Joe Darby, Glenburn, St Martins Mill, Cullicudden, Dingwall. WHEN walking the section of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Dumgoyne I always look out for these distinctive trees. On this occasion the scene was dominated by heavy dark clouds, but a little blue sky peeked through. The picture reminds me of an old hand-coloured black-and-white photograph.