Nursery World - Executive backs local initiatives in rural childcare

The Scottish Executive has underlined its commitment to providing affordable, high-quality childcare in rural areas. At last week's conference in Glasgow on rural childcare services, deputy minister for rural development Rhona Brankin said, 'Our strategy recognises that quality services for young children bring long-term benefits - not only to them, but also to their parents and wider families, to their communities, and to society at large. We know from research that the early years are vital.

At last week's conference in Glasgow on rural childcare services, deputy minister for rural development Rhona Brankin said, 'Our strategy recognises that quality services for young children bring long-term benefits - not only to them, but also to their parents and wider families, to their communities, and to society at large. We know from research that the early years are vital.

'We are deeply committed to this agenda - and deeply committed to children's services to help achieve our goal of social justice with prosperity.'

The minister singled out as examples of good practice a clutch of childcare initiatives in rural areas, including Orkney Islands Council, which has set up an equipment lending library to provide cots, double buggies and other items to childminders.

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