Parents and carers of children under two years in Lennoxtown and Hillhead will soon be able to access extended Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) provision within their communities.
The expanded provision in Lennoxtown and Hillhead will be available to families from August 2018 and will provide care for children under two years for over 50 weeks from 8am - 6pm. Further information on the facilities providing this service will be made available by end of April 2018, with application forms available from the individual ELC centres thereafter.
The Council has agreed to deliver additional provision in these areas in line with the priority place agenda and in response to extensive consultation with local families. The need for accessible, affordable and flexible quality childcare was highlighted and places will be prioritised to support parents and carers accessing employment and training opportunities.
To ensure we meet the needs of local families we are currently carrying out additional consultation with multi-agency partners and childminders. We are also continuing to work with voluntary providers currently delivering services within these areas to look at other opportunities available.
Convener of Education, Councillor Jim Goodall said, “We understand that flexible, affordable childcare is needed to enable parents to pursue employment and training opportunities and I am pleased that these extended hours and availability for under two year olds will support families in Lennoxtown and Hillhead.”
In addition to extending ELC provision to under two year olds, the Council is also phasing in the Scottish Government’s planned expansion of early years provision to 1140 hours by 2020. As a result the following developments will be introduced in East Dunbartonshire in 2018/19.
- Provision of 1140 hours to eligible two year olds in Lennoxtown and Auchinairn Early Learning Centres
- Provision of 1140 hours to eligible two, three and four year olds in Hillhead and Twechar Early Learning Centres
- Extended day and year provision for Holy Family and Meadowburn Early Learning Centres
- Engagement and consultation with parents to deliver flexible models of delivery including early opening at 7.30a
Cllr Goodall continued, “I am looking forward to seeing these benefits becoming available to many more families across East Dunbartonshire.”
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