Under consideration PE2229: Make Childcare Choice a Right in Scotland
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to make funded early learning and childcare on a cross-local authority basis a legal right across Scotland, so no family is denied access to the childcare setting that works for them because of an arbitrary council boundary. National action is needed to prevent local authority cost-cutting from restricting parental choice and disrupting children’s care and development.
Background information
NDNA Scotland, parent campaigners and providers seek national action to make cross-border funded childcare a right. We believe not doing so undermines Funding Follows the Child, parental choice and provider neutrality.
Two local authorities, Edinburgh and West Lothian, have made decisions meaning children entitled to nationally funded childcare places who live outside the council area can only access places in council run nurseries, and cannot access private, voluntary, and independent nurseries. Removing parental choice has significantly impacted families. They have had to move children from trusted nurseries, separate siblings, change work patterns, and face extra costs. This means losing familiar relationships, routines and support at a crucial stage in children’s development. Around 100 families in West Lothian are affected, having chosen a nursery that met their child’s needs and family circumstances. These decisions show how council boundaries are limiting a national entitlement and risk a domino effect in other areas.
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