Early Years and Out of School Care Consultation - 2026

This consultation is now closed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in the survey. 

We asked for your views on the Early Learning & Childcare and Out of School Care services that you use. More than 500 people had their say. You can find a breakdown of responses and comments in our post-consultation report which was approved at the Education Committee on 3 September 2026. All feedback will be used to help shape future services. Thank you.

Background

The purpose of this consultation is to help East Dunbartonshire Council gather the views of parents and carers regarding Early Learning and Childcare and Out of School Care Services. This consultation will run from Friday 19 June 2026 until Sunday 12 July 2026.

Since August 2021, the Council has implemented the full entitlement of 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare for all 3 and 4 year-olds and eligible 2 year-olds. These hours can be accessed in a Council nursery, with a funded provider, in a private, voluntary or independent sector nursery or with a funded registered childminder.

The aim is that this increase in nursery hours, funded by Scottish Government, provides families with a high quality early years service which is also flexible and accessible.

If you have school aged children, we would also like to hear about your experience of Out of School provision.

The information within this survey is not an indication of what we intend to provide but will provide you with a range of options that will be considered as we plan strategically for the future, taking your contributions into account.

We would like to invite all parents and carers with children aged two – five years old and/or primary school aged children to complete the consultation.