The new Scottish National Party-led administration in Scotland has lost no time in unveiling a raft of new measures which will cost £25m this year and will have a major impact on both schools and the early years sector. An extension to the entitlement to free nursery education, a pledge to cut class sizes in primaries 1 to 3 to 18 pupils, 300 additional teachers and a further 250 training places - no one can accuse Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop of dragging her heels.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Ms Hyslop announced that from this autumn, parents of three- and four-year-olds will be guaranteed 475 hours a year of free nursery education over 38 weeks - worth around £250 a year extra to a parent using a private nursery.
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