10 Oct 2018
New Freedom of Information responses have revealed that nurseries fear the SNP’s botched plan to expand childcare is “about to implode.”
In other emails sent to local authorities and the Scottish Government, nurseries have said that SNP plans to rollout 1140 hours of childcare by 2020 are leaving private childcare providers ‘literally on their knees’.
In the past few months, numerous childcare providers have written to the Scottish Government to warn that the expansion plan is not being properly funded and will drive them out of business.
Among those who have also raised concerned with the Scottish Government include SNP minister Kate Forbes, and SNP MSP Alex Neil.
The documents released today also include a briefing by Scottish Government civil servants highlighting a range of private providers’ concerns including: lower rates paid to partner providers, a lack of engagement, a lack of access to capital funding, and a lack of involvement in the expansion to 1140 hours.
Lastly, issues have been raised most often at four local authorities as of 14 August 2018: the SNP-run Glasgow council, the SNP-run South Lanarkshire council, the Labour-run North Lanarkshire council and the SNP-Labour run South Ayrshire council.
Alison Harris, Scottish Conservative children and young people spokesman said:
“This childcare expansion was launched to huge fanfare but it is clearer by the day that the SNP has no ability to deliver it.
“The SNP cannot deliver this policy without childcare providers and they are telling us that they cannot survive on the current rates.
“The SNP is driving nurseries to breaking point due to low rates, lack of engagement and lack of access to capital funding.
“The SNP must sort out this mess urgently or childcare providers will be driven out of business and parents relying on this policy will be devastated.”
Follow this news feed: Scottish Conservatives