Tories call for changes to childcare provision

Considerable improvements to the accessibility and flexibility of free childcare is needed, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

The party said it will use its debating time at Holyrood to raise issues surrounding the current provision and ministers’ plans to almost double it by 2020.

The debate follows the publication of a report by the public spending watchdog warning of “significant risks” to the Scottish Government’s policy.

The government has pledged to increase paidfor nursery places from the current 600 hours to 1,140 for three- and fouryear-olds, and eligible twoyear-olds, by August 2020, equivalent to about 30 hours a week in term time.

However, the Accounts Commission report said councils would find it difficult to increase the infrastructure and workforce to the levels required in the limited time available.

The Tories said some parents already found it difficult to access free hours at suitable times and locations. The party also call for progress on a flexible childcare voucher system.

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne said: “The Scottish Conservatives believe the delivery of high quality childcare will not happen unless there are considerable improvements in its accessibility and flexibility for parents.”