Scotland currently offers 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare per year to all three- and four-year-olds, and to eligible two-year-olds. That works out to roughly 30 hours a week during term time — worth around £6,000 a year per child.
Scotland’s statutory child poverty targets for 2030 are widely expected to be missed, however a universal childcare, at the early learning and childcare stage, has been identified as a solution in reducing child poverty and closing the attainment gap
The SNP’s headline offer is to extend childcare entitlement to all children from nine months old, which was announced in Humza Yousaf’s programme for government in 2023. Although ambitious, there isn’t a clear timescale beyond “by the end of the parliament,” and it doesn’t explain where the money is coming from.
Labour’s main childcare offer is to increase the value of tax-free childcare to £3,000 per child per year, effectively topping up a UK Government scheme where the government adds £2 for every £8 you spend. They’re also promising two weeks of funded summer holiday clubs.
The Conservatives are also proposing to extend childcare from nine months, but on a means-tested basis, targeting working families rather than everyone.
The Lib Dems have proposed shifting the existing 1,140 funded hours so they start on a child’s third birthday, rather than the term after, which under the current system can mean a wait of up to five months.
The Greens are going furthest with a proposal for universal, fully-funded early years childcare; free for everyone, regardless of income or employment status. It’s the boldest offer in any manifesto, and the one most likely to reach the families in greatest need, unfortunately a fully universal free offer would be extraordinarily expensive.
While it’s good to see that each party is recognising the importance of early learning and childcare are these plans enough? Will each party stand by their manifesto promise and why isn’t the concept of flexible childcare mentioned in the party manifestos?
As you will have seen from our previous Social Impact Reports, flexible, book by the hour childcare is having a massively positive impact on families’ finances. It creates employment opportunities and is improving individual’s mental health. While we absolutely welcome a childcare expansion, have we, the country, learnt from the last one? Do we have the workforce that will be required and can it be delivered successfully to the benefit of all families.
Flexible childcare works, it’s already saving the families we support (c1,000) more than £2.13m per year. It’s tried, tested and being delivered in areas of high deprivation where it’s having the greatest impact.
Whichever party wins the next election, we welcome your plan, we want to support it, but remember there’s more than one way to shine a penny!
