The Executive plans to raise funding over the next three years for Sure Start Scotland from 19m to 31m, and for the Childcare Strategy from 19m to 23.9m. The total increase in funding will be 54.9m by 2006.
The increased spending was announced by education minister Cathy Jamieson during a visit to Whitehill Parent and Child Centre in Lanarkshire to launch its Health Promoting Nursery project to improve the fitness, diet and wellbeing of children and their families.
After joining under-fives at the centre for an exercise routine, Ms Jamieson said, 'We want all children and young people to get the best start in life and to realise their potential in later years. It is also vital that families, especially those facing difficult circumstances, get the support they need -from help with childcare to training and employment access.
'But we should recognise that figures alone do not improve people's lives.
We must focus on what this money can deliver in the weeks, months and years ahead.
'We have a new target - to ensure that at least 15,000 vulnerable children under five have an integrated package of health, care and education support which meets their needs by 2006.'
Over the next three years the Executive plans to spend an extra 41m on the changing children's services fund and a further 29m on training social workers and child protection workers.
Matt Smith, Unison's Scottish secretary, welcomed the extra investment but warned that 'much-needed improvements will not come about until the Executive addresses the problems of resources, training and pay for the front-line staff who deliver those services'.
He said Unison was particularly concerned that investment should go into core services rather than specific projects and initiatives.
* Families in disadvantaged areas will benefit from a 14.5m programme to help childcare projects over the next three years run by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). The National Lottery cash will be used to provide capital backing for new projects, play areas, outdoor play facilities and equipment, including playbuses and toy libraries in rural areas.
NOF Scotland Board member David Campbell said, 'Access to quality childcare provision is of central importance to families. In many cases it can be the deciding factor in whether a parent is able to take up a learning, training or employment opportunity.'
