Council warning over funding and recruitment for Scottish early years expansion

The summary of a report by Audit Scotland on the expansion of early learning and childcare, released by the City of Edinburgh Council, acknowledges that there are ‘significant risks’ that councils will not be able to meet the Government’s pledge to expand funded provision by August 2020 .

It cites difficulties in recruiting hundreds of early years staff within the timeframe.

In its summary of the Audit Scotland report, the City of Edinburgh Council said that while there are currently approximately 650 staff working in local authority early learning and childcare settings, it estimated another 700 may be required to deliver the 1,140 hours to all eligible children by 2020. The council admitted the levels of recruitment necessary represent ‘a significant challenge.’

The summary also said that within the City of Edinburgh Council area there was a projected capacity shortfall of almost 3,000 places for three- to four-year-olds, and a shortfall of 360 places for two-year-olds.

In order to address these shortfalls, the council suggested existing facilities may be adapted, and opening hours and management arrangements changed, but acknowledged a significant programme of new build would also be required.

The council said if this expansion strategy was implemented it would meet projected demand.