East Dunbartonshire Council has developed a plan outlining how early learning and childcare services will be expanded across the area over the coming years.
Based on feedback from local people, and on a review of existing services, the plan has been submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration.
Almost 600 parents and carers of children aged under five years took part in the Council’s consultation on early learning and childcare provision during August 2017.
The online survey was run to get the views of local people on existing services and ideas for the future as the number of funded hours for eligible children is set to increase in 2020 from 600 funded hours to 1140 funded hours per year*.
Convener of Education, Councillor Mohrag Fischer, thanked everyone who took the time to have their say on this important issue and said, “I am pleased that, as always, the people of East Dunbartonshire have shown their willingness to get involved on an issue that affects families across the area. The changes that are coming to early learning and childcare are huge so it’s right that we are already planning our response to ensure we can meet people’s expectations.
“The survey responses, together with feedback from a public meeting held last month, were analysed and contributed to our plan which is designed to offer local families choice and flexibility across a range of quality providers.”
* All children aged three and four will be eligible for the increased funded hours and some two year olds from households in receipt of certain benefits will also be eligible.
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