![A total of 87 per cent of the children taking up a funded place are accessing the full 1,140 hours, according to the latest figures for the end of August, PHOTO Adobe Stock](/media/ckeny3mc/nursery.jpg?width=1002&height=668&bgcolor=White&v=1da61244cc951f0)
Since August, all three- and four-year-olds and disadvantaged two-year-olds have been eligible for Scotland’s extended Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) offer.
Of the 90,890 children accessing the funded hours at the end of August, 88,122 (97 per cent) were using more than 600 hours and 79,262 (87 per cent) were accessing the full 1,140 hours, reveal figures from the Improvement Service - a non-governmental organisation in Scotland.
Children’s minister Clare Haughey said, ‘As well as saving families a significant amount of money, the 1,140 offer supports parents’ ability to work, train or study. We also know that high-quality Early Learning and Childcare helps to give children the best start in life, enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills they need to prepare them for school.’
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