A plan outlining how Aberdeen’s youngest pupils and their families will continue to benefit from the expanded delivery of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) was approved today (Tuesday 2 July).
The Education and Children’s Services committee agreed the plan which covers 2024-2026 and which is line with the authority’s statutory obligation to deliver a refreshed plan every two years.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “This is an innovative plan which will see us working in partnership with the Scottish Childminding Association to deliver a programme on childminder retention and recruitment to boost our ELC offering which has already been well received by young children, families and carers since its 2021 inception.
“We will also be working in partnership with the Health Determinants Research Collaborative to ensure our next statutory consultation with parents and carers in June 2025 is evidence-based and underpinned by rigorous research and evaluation.”
Vice Convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “The delivery of and extended ELC provision across Aberdeen has made a real difference to the lives of young children, their families and carers with almost 80% of respondents to our latest survey saying that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with ELC settings.
“Our plan for the next two years aims to build on our successes and increase satisfaction still further through innovations such as creating even more outdoor learning opportunities, increasing childminder numbers and supporting staff and families through engagement, development and enhanced used of digital technology.”
Since August 2021 all three and four year-olds, and eligible two-year olds receive 1140 hours of funded ELC per year. This means more funded hours, more choice of where children can go to access their ELC entitlement and more flexible models of ELC are available to support families.
The guiding principles for the new plan remain:
- High quality
- Affordability
- Accessibility
- Flexibility