Childcare minister visits Pairc playgroup
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan joined the minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd MSP, last week on a visit to Pairc Playgroup in South Lochs, Lewis.
Pairc Playgroup has been successfully operating an extended hours project in partnership with HIE and Muaitheabhal Trust offering wrap around childcare.
The playgroup has also been awarded an ‘excellent’ grading by the Care Inspectorate for itscare of the children and awarded a ‘Green Flag’ from Keep Scotland Beautiful for ‘eco’ work with children.
Commenting, Mr Allan MSP said: ‘It was really useful to hear about the impact extending childcare hours in South Lochs has had, and learning about how this has enabled parents to go either to work or into further education as well as creating employment in the area.
‘It really underlines the transformative potential of the Scottish Government’s pledge to double the number of hours of free early years education and childcare to 30 hours a week for vulnerable two-year-olds and all three to four-year-olds by 2021.’