Overall capacity in early learning and childcare (ELC) services has fallen, parents continue to struggle to find flexible childcare options and the most deprived households have far fewer options for childcare according to a new report published today.
The latest statistics published by the Care Inspectorate today, show that in 2017 ELC providers fell by almost 3 percent from 2016 - 2017. Indeed, since 2011 the number of ELC providers has fallen by over 1,000.
The report also highlights that the overall capacity in ELC services has fallen slightly over the last year, despite the slight increase in number of children registered and that flexible childcare continues to pose problems, as only just over half (55%) offer a choice of full or part day sessions.
Lastly, childcare availability continues to be much greater for the richest in Scotland. In the most deprived areas, there are 1,910.3 ELC places available per 10,000 people. Whereas in the least deprived areas there are 20 per cent more.
The Scottish Conservatives have said that this shows the SNP is failing to increase childcare provision in advance of their much heralded expansion of free childcare hours by 2020.
Alison Harris, Scottish Conservative spokesman on children and young people said:
“The SNP’s expansion of childcare is going exactly the wrong way.
“The SNP has, so far, failed to increase childcare provision at all and capacity is actually falling.
“The SNP has promised to double free childcare hours by 2020 but this is looking increasingly difficult to achieve.
“The SNP is driving nurseries to breaking point with low rates, lack of engagement and lack of access to capital funding.
“The SNP must include independent childcare providers in its childcare expansion plans, or the policy is likely to fail and devastate parents counting on this support.”