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Scotland's delayed nationwide expansion of 1140 hours childcare launches

All three- and four-year-olds in Scotland can now claim 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare.
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon visiting Fallin Nursery in Stirling PHOTO Twitter
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon visiting Fallin Nursery in Stirling PHOTO Twitter

The expanded funded hours was already being delivered within early learning and childcare settings (ELC) in some local authorities, but the scheme has now been rolled out nationally across Scotland.

According to the Scottish Government, 130,000 children are set to benefit from the scheme, saving families around £4,900 in childcare costs per child, per year.

The 1140 hours is available to all three- and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.

A legal obligation on education authorities to make 1140 hours of funded ELC available to all those eligible came into effect on 1 August.

Under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, education authorities are now legally obligated to make 1140 hours of funded ELC available to eligible children.

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