Nursery World - Edinburgh to miss 15-hour a week nursery education target

Edinburgh Council will fail to meet a 2010 target to increase free nursery provision to 570 hours a year without more funding from the Scottish Government.

The targets are for all three- and four-year-olds to receive 15 hours of free education for 38 weeks per year by autumn 2010.

Speaking at a committee meeting, councillor Marilyne MacLaren, convener of education, children and families, said the target would cost £800,000. She confirmed the council could not afford this.

Ms MacLaren said, 'At the moment the majority of nursery-age children receive 475 hours per year [12.5 hours a week], which is the current maximum. It has been estimated that we would require an additional £800,000 per year to increase the provision to 570 hours per year. Until we can secure this additional funding, we will be unable to reach the target.'

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included