Glasgow City Council agreed on 12 September to embark on the 10ma year strategy to provide some of the most comprehensive communitychildcare in the UK.
Five pilot employability schemes reforming the council's admissions andcharging system for nursery places will launch in November. The reformswill mean that no parent pays more than 2 per hour for a councilnursery place, and many will pay less.
Milestones in the strategy include all parents being able to access'buggy-walking distance' childcare from 8am to 6pm, 52 weeks a year,within the next five years. Pledges also include out-of school care forhalf of all eligible parents of five- to 14-year-olds by 2009 and theextension of free education for three- and four-year-olds to 15 hoursper week by 2011.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, chair of education, said, 'It's a strategyand a political pledge - and we will deliver. The current budget fordelivery is 30m.'
He added, 'Our admissions and pricing system is out of date. Thousandsof hard-working families are struggling. To offer them fracturedprovision is almost useless - it needs to be comprehensive andflexible.'
Beginning in the pilot areas, parents wishing to access education,training or employment will be allocated extended nursery places througha priority banding system starting at 2 per hour.
Childcare workers will also be expected to spread information to parentsabout the council's employability agenda and tax credits.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA Scotland said, 'We do questionhow sustainable, high-quality childcare can be delivered for 2 anhour. Offering childcare at this price will require significantsubsidies from the council and we would want to see this offered to PVInurseries within the pilot areas to support parental choice and sectorsustainability. It is also vital that those providing advice aboutemployment opportunities and support available are fully trained.'
