The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) says that a ‘wait and see approach’ to childcare in Scotland risks leaving thousands of families behind.
Its research argues that in order to ‘poverty proof’ the future of early years education, the Scottish Government should follow through on the First Minister’s commitment and expand funded places to children under the age of three.
Currently in Scotland, children aged three and four are eligible for 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare. Though some two-year-olds are eligible for the offer, plans to expand this entitlement further aren’t included in the Programme for Government, says the JRF. It argues that the need for enhanced childcare is clear, but what’s ‘confusing is the lack of urgency’.
The report models an example universal offer that reflects what, on average, parents said they want – 25 hours per week for all one and two-year-olds, and 35 hours for all three and four-year-olds. It states that this could reduce poverty by up to 2.9 percentage points by 2030. To fully fund these additional places for all children could cost over £2 billion a year, so the JRF argues low-income families should be prioritised in the first instance.
An expansion of early years education would also increase parental labour market participation.
Jack Evans, JRF Senior Policy Adviser for Scotland, said, ‘The wait-and-see approach to childcare in Scotland risks leaving thousands of families behind. A lack of affordable options is a significant barrier to low-income parents escaping poverty. The cost of childcare must not lock people in financial insecurity, closing the door to the labour market.
‘We can be under no illusions about the scale of reform needed. Scottish Government and politicians of all parties must meet the challenge head on, otherwise families on low incomes will be left behind. If the cost of universal expansion is a barrier then we need a debate about how we knock it down.’
'It's important to address the existing challenges and fix the current system'.
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said that the report shows parents and the economy have a ‘lot to gain from a universally available offer’, but warned it must be properly funded for the benefits to be realised.
Its director of policy and communications, Jonathan Broadbery, added, ‘While we welcome greater investment in the early years sector it’s important to address the existing challenges and fix the current system before expanding the offer to younger age groups. Any plans for expansion must address these issues and put children’s needs first and foremost.’