UNISON members work in a variety of roles to deliver early learning and childcare (ELC) to Scotland’s youngest children. The Scottish Government has published ‘Expansion of funded early learning and childcare to 1140 hours: 2018-2025 national outcomes evaluation’, an evaluation of the expansion of funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds (and eligible 2 year olds) from 600 to 1140 hours.
The evaluation found that the expansion has been positive for parental employment, but did not find that the expansion of hours made a significant difference in outcomes for children, nor in closing the poverty-related child development gap. The expansion has brought a significant increase in the workforce, but there are still concerns about the pay, status and working conditions of the staff delivering this essential public service.
This briefing summarises the evaluation and its key findings, and highlights issues for ELC support workers, practitioners, and leads, in the expansion to 1140 hours.