SNP shadow education and lifelong learning minister Fiona Hyslop made the announcement following the release of the Daycare Trust and Children in Scotland's survey which revealed nursery fees rising at almost double the rate of those in England (News, 22 February).
Ms Hyslop said, 'As part of a ten-year strategy for early years, an SNP government will increase the provision of free nursery education for Scots families by 50 per cent, with families also benefiting from longer hours and more weeks of free provision.'
The SNP says that many parents find the 2.5 hours a day entitlement inflexible, and providing a full half-day of free provision is at the heart of the plan.
'In Scandinavian countries parents pay only 30 per cent of child care fees, yet in Scotland they pay 70 per cent. Many women pay almost all of their salary to cover childcare fees and 600 per month is the equivalent to a second mortgage for many Scottish families,' added Ms Hyslop. 'We want this to be the first step in a move towards universal nursery and childcare provision.'
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA, welcomed the proposal. She added, 'However, we would urge them to conduct some thorough research into the actual cost of delivering the free sessions and make sure sufficient funding is available so that it is sustainable in the long term.'