Petition (PE1114) – Childcare Strategy Review – to conduct a review of its childcare strategy to ensure adequate funding is provided for childcare services across all local authorities.

 

Comment from the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland

 

 

The Association of Directors of Education in Scotland is grateful for the opportunity to comment on this petition.

 

The issues raised by this petition are experienced by voluntary sector providers across Scotland.  It highlights the need for clarification of whether it is expected that childcare should be a universal service, or targeted to those in work, education or training.

 

Currently pre-school education which is “free” and funded by Government funding within the G.A.E. is commissioned in the private and voluntary childcare sector by local authorities for those parents who require childcare in addition to their entitlement.  Out of school care for school age children is not directly commissioned but has been supported in the past by specific grant funding from the G.A.E. where sustainability is not possible due to rurality, area of deprivation or where children with additional support needs are accommodated.

 

Voluntary organisations report that without financial support, their services would not be viable as full cost recovery through fees would be unsustainable.

 

There is concern that the move to single outcome agreements may have a negative effect on the financial support to voluntary providers in the future.

 

Therefore we believe that the Scottish Government should take the opportunity of the Early Years Strategy (which is currently being developed in relation to services for children aged 0 – 8) to consider issues relating to:-

 

·         Purpose of the service – universal / targeted, ie. addressing need

 

·         Level of financial support needed to achieve sustainability of provision

 

·         Viability of larger voluntary organisations / social enterprises as they increase in provision and with a corresponding increase in management structures.

 

ADES would be very happy to participate in any review.

 

 

John Stodter
ADES General Secretary