Scottish Greens call on SNP to guarantee free childcare from third birthday

The Scottish Greens have called on the SNP to ensure every child can access free childcare from their third birthday.

Party co-leader Gillian Mackay said the change would end the financial burden faced by families who currently have to pay nursery fees until the next school term.

She said the Scottish Government has the opportunity to end the “postcode lottery” and ensure every child receives their free childcare hours as soon as they turn three.

The Scottish Greens are calling for the SNP to make the commitment in next month’s Programme for Government.

“Families across Scotland are feeling the strain on their budgets. They have been promised free childcare when their little ones turn three, but most councils are not providing it from that point,” Ms Mackay said.

“Instead, many parents are forced to pay nursery fees for months between their child’s third birthday and the start of the next school term.”

She added: “For many families, that comes at a difficult time.

“Parents, particularly mothers, may already be feeling the pinch after surviving on very little maternity pay during their baby’s first year.

“They can then face a large childcare bill simply to return to work – in some cases costing more than their monthly rent or mortgage.”

Education secretary Mairi McAllan said three-year-olds are currently eligible to start funded early learning and childare (ELC) from the relevant start date, which is usually the term after their third birthday.

While local authorities already have powers to provide funded childcare from an earlier date, Ms McAllan recognised that it is currently at the discretion of each council.

“Scotland is the only part of the UK offering 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds, backed by £1 billion annual investment – worth around £6,400 per eligible child, per year if families paid for the full entitlement themselves,” Ms McAllan said.

“We are now working to continue transforming childcare in Scotland, by providing support to every family with children from nine months to the end of primary school, 52 weeks a year.”

The education secretary said she was committed to working with parties across the Parliament to develop the SNP’s new approach.

She added: “We will explore the issue of eligibility dates within the context of the wider reform needed to expand our childcare offer over the next five years.”