During a debate in Scottish Parliament yesterday, Conservative MSPs argued that the government’s plans are behind schedule and there is danger it will not be able to deliver on its promise of 1,140 hours of free childcare from August 2020 – an accusation the Scottish Government denied.
According to responses to a freedom of information request sent to local authorities by the Scottish Conservatives, 83 per cent of council nurseries are currently unable to deliver the extended offer for three- and four-year-olds.
The political party told ministers there is an expectation private nurseries will cover the shortfall in places, however there are ‘profound and growing concerns’ regarding the lack of support and engagement with these settings.
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