West Lothian private nursery childcare funding changes 'catastrophic' for families

Parents and nursery operators say planned changes to how West Lothian Council funds provision for children will have a “catastrophic” impact.

The local authority wants to stop allowing parents who live outside West Lothian to use their funded early learning and childcare hours at nurseries within the council area.

Under the proposal, children from other council areas would no longer be able to access their funded 1,140 hours at private, voluntary and independent nurseries operating in West Lothian.

The council say it’s an important step to save cash – but campaigners claim it will be bad news for children, parents and businesses alike.

Little Bugs is based in Abercorn, just a few miles from the boundary with Edinburgh. Children from West Lothian, Edinburgh, and nearby Falkirk attend the nursery.

Focused on outdoor play and learning, the facility currently has a waiting list of more than two years.

Owner Louise Lisznerski says the changes would affect around 42 families.

“What is the really important aspect is there’s already a shortage of nursery spaces. By taking that parental choice aspect of being able to cross a border away, it means that parents aren’t able to choose the right setting. It’s taking learning environments away.

“A lot of our parents choose us over something alternative to being indoors. We support children with behavioural and additional support needs. Fifty weeks of the year, we’re out in all weathers and it’s lots of fun.

“Every child is unique. It hinders parents getting back to work, adding time to their commute, and upsetting children who want to be outside.

“We’re effectively eroding and dissolving rights across the country if councils have the power to do this.”

Mum-of-two Heather Nicholls warns it will create a “postcode lottery”.

“My children are very active and outdoorsy; this setting provides that where others don’t. We’ve always had a really high-quality service here. That can’t always be replicated; it’s a really unique place.

“We weren’t happy to send our kids anywhere else, not just in West Lothian.

“The council is choosing to put modest budget cuts over and above children’s futures if this change goes ahead.”

Dad Warrick Godfrey, who lives outside the council area, says the proposal would directly affect his family.

“To take away the option for parents to choose the nursery that makes sense for them seems bonkers to me. Other areas have a lot more free-fall impact on cutting back or improvements, but why start with the kids?

“It’s been important for us to teach that resilience to our son – not to be afraid of the outdoors, which can be really good throughout life.

“Every child has different needs. It teaches resilience. Most hide their kids outdoors because it’s cold, but it’s about dressing up, jumping in the mud, and having fun.”

Albi Mendoza says her son has attended the nursery for three years. They would be affected by the new rules.

“It would be a big change for my son because he has spent so much time here. He has his friends; it would be a shame to take them from him. It would be very difficult for him to move to another nursery.

My son has been enjoying this, and we’ve seen this place growing and evolving. The staff work so hard to create this. It would be a shame to put it at risk.”

Cross-border placements are common in areas close to council boundaries, particularly where parents commute for work. Campaigners argue that restricting funded hours to a child’s home council reduces flexibility and limits parental choice.

All three and four-year-olds in Scotland – along with eligible two-year-olds – are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year.

While the policy is national, funding is delivered by local authorities, which set their own agreements with nursery providers.

Campaigners say there is already evidence of the potential impact. A similar policy was introduced by the City of Edinburgh Council, limiting the use of funded hours across council boundaries.

“It caused a lot of distress, increased costs, increased travel time, and an increase in uncertainty around childcare,” says Carole Erskine, campaign lead from Pregnant Then Screwed.

“For a number of mums, there was an increase in settling time and difficulty getting used to a new nursery with new staff.

“It was done to save money but has had an impact on children. The money they say the council will save is not worth what the families are going through for that saving.”

Pregnant Then Screwed policy head Carole Erskine STV News

West Lothian Council insists the decision is about protecting local services amid significant financial pressures.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Like all councils, West Lothian is facing significant financial pressures and we are not alone in making this change. For example, the City of Edinburgh Council has already made a similar change.

“We have significant capacity within our council nurseries, and we took a very difficult decision to close eight council nurseries last year in an effort to reduce costs and run our services more efficiently.

“This recent change is being made to protect West Lothian services, and any alternative saving could have adversely impacted parents, services and children living in West Lothian.

“A wide range of measures have had to be agreed in order that the council can balance its budget, as is our legal requirement. We did also consult on this proposal via a public consultation and it was widely supported.

“With the ongoing financial challenges faced by the council, this recent decision was based on the need to prioritise West Lothian Council resources for West Lothian’s children and families.

“We appreciate the potential impact this proposal may have on families who live out with West Lothian and rely on established childcare arrangements, and we recognise the importance of continuity and stability for children’s wellbeing. We are committed to fully supporting any transition arrangements should families consider a move to one of our council establishments.”