The money, to be distributed through local authorities, is one element of a 24m funding package to help lone parents. It is intended to help sustain out-of-school clubs in disadvantaged areas, as they are a particularly popular form of childcare provision for lone parents.
Announcing the funding at a childcare facility run by One Plus, Scotland's largest lone parent organisation, deputy education minister Nicol Stephen said, 'The 8m for out-of-school clubs will be an immense boost for many parents, including lone parents, who depend on the clubs for their childcare arrangements.'
Shirley Norrie, the Scottish Out-of-School Care Network's information officer, said, 'It is good news, and will help those clubs that have not got access to New Opportunities Fund money. A lot of out-of-school clubs were set up by parents themselves, and when children get older, out-of-school clubs can be a more viable option, a place where children can socialise and do their homework.'
The Executive's three-year funding package also consists of new 1,000 grants for lone parents in higher education towards meeting the cost of registered childcare - the first time this group has ever had help with childcare costs. Further education colleges across Scotland will be given 7.5m to widen childcare provision to meet local needs, in addition to the 3m childcare funding per year awarded in May 2000.
The new direct childcare grant for lone parents in higher education effectively doubles the cash already available to them via the existing Lone Parent's Grant, worth 1,075. They will also have access to a mature student's bursary worth up to 2,000 for those who have already taken out the full student loan for living costs, paid on a discretionary basis by colleges and universities.
John Findlay, director of lone parent organisation One Plus, said, 'After many years of campaigning for improvements in access to higher education for lone parents, we welcome the Executive's acknowledgement of the need to fund childcare and provide further financial support to increase the numbers of lone parents in higher education.'
