Almost one year since the expansion of free childcare in Scotland was rolled out, it has been transformational for many families. But private nurseries say it’s pushing them to the brink of collapse and they’re being “short-changed” by councils in the delivery of the policy.
Children aged three and four are entitled to eleven hundred and forty hours of free childcare a year, but private providers say they now have hard data to show they’re receiving less funding per child than council-run nurseries. With inflation pushing costs up, many have already closed their doors for good. They’re warning of a detrimental impact on childcare quality, unless the Scottish government acts now.
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