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Bid to end 'inequality' in Scottish nursery provision Childcare boost proposal rejected by MSPs
(about 17 hours later)
MSPs have been urged to change legislation to end "inequality" in government-funded nursery provision. Plans to increase the legal right to childcare provision have been rejected by the Scottish government.
Only half of children born in 2011 and 2012 will be guaranteed two years of nursery provision, according to research by think tank Reform Scotland. A Labour bid for a legal commitment to give 600 hours of childcare to the most vulnerable two-year-olds was voted down by the SNP.
Holyrood's education and culture committee is looking at the issue as part of its consideration of the Children and Young People Bill. The move came as the parliament's education committee debated draft government legislation to better support young people.
The Scottish government said it was committed to improving childcare. Scottish ministers said they were committed to improving childcare.
The government wants to increase the amount of free childcare from the current 475 hours a year to a minimum of 600 hours for three and four year olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-old children who are looked after by local authorities The committee also rejected a Conservative proposal to guarantee all children get two years of nursery before school, regardless of when their birthday was.
However, when free childcare begins depends on when the child's birthday falls. However, MSPs did back changes to the proposed Children and Young People Bill to provide more support for care leavers.
The current legal entitlement can vary by up to 317 hours or £1,033 depending on the child's date of birth, Reform Scotland has said. Half of children born in 2011 and 2012 will be guaranteed two years of nursery provision, according to research by think tank Reform Scotland.
Support amendments The organisation said current legal entitlement could vary by up to 317 hours, or £1,033, depending on the child's date of birth.
Its research, published in November, showed a child born between 1 March and 31 August is currently entitled to two years' nursery provision before beginning school. Its research, published in November, said a child born between 1 March and 31 August was entitled to two years' nursery provision before beginning school.
A child born between 1 September and 31 December 31 gets 18 months and a child born between 1 January and 28 February, assuming he or she attends school aged four, will get 15 months, according to the research. A child born between 1 September and 31 December 31 gets 18 months and a child born between 1 January and 28 February, assuming he or she attends school aged four, will get 15 months, Reform Scotland said.
The think tank has now urged MSPs to support amendments put forward by Conservative MSP Liz Smith, which it said would give all children the same provision. Conservative MSP Liz Smith, said: "The Scottish Government was presented with the opportunity to end the anomaly of birthday discrimination, but instead SNP members voted to uphold the highly discriminatory practice".
Ms Smith said: "We have given the Scottish government an opportunity to correct this anomaly, and it has to take it. Scottish ministers said they had given councils £249m to deliver 600 hours of childcare to three and four-year-olds, and the most vulnerable two-year-olds, including those from workless households.
"It is a ridiculous situation that some children receive months less free nursery than others purely because of the time of year they were born. A government spokesman, said: "Our current focus is to build additional hours and flexibility into high quality childcare, increasing entitlement to around 16 hours a week. This is a huge step forward in improving our young children's prospects and supporting parents.
"The SNP must swallow its pride on this and accept the only sensible course of action. It is an inequality that cannot be allowed to continue."
Other MSPs have also called on ministers to bring forward childcare commitments.
The Scottish government has said that after independence it would provide 1,140 annual care hours, for one to four-year-olds, allowing more parents to return to work. A phased approach means some expansion is expected this year.
A spokeswoman said: "Ministers have demonstrated our commitment to making sustainable improvements that are affordable and deliverable, for example by providing £249m to councils to deliver 600 hours of childcare to three and four-year-olds and our most vulnerable two-year-olds, including those from workless households.
"Our current focus is to build additional hours and flexibility into high quality childcare, increasing entitlement to around 16 hours a week. This is a huge step forward in improving our young children's prospects and supporting parents.
"While some variation will remain, whether a child begins nursery on their birthday, the month after or the following term, the system makes the best use of the entitlement in relation to the child's age and needs."While some variation will remain, whether a child begins nursery on their birthday, the month after or the following term, the system makes the best use of the entitlement in relation to the child's age and needs.
"Parents of the youngest children - those born in January or February - will continue to be entitled to a further year's funded early learning and childcare if they feel it best for their child.""Parents of the youngest children - those born in January or February - will continue to be entitled to a further year's funded early learning and childcare if they feel it best for their child."
Independence pledge
The Scottish government has pledged, in the event of a "Yes" vote in the 18 September independence referendum, to provide 1,140 annual care hours, for one to four-year-olds, allowing more parents to return to work.
Opposition parties said the policy could be delivered now.
Labour deputy education spokesman Neil Bibby said the SNP had, in the committee, voted against putting their own childcare policies in the legislation.
"The Scottish government have the powers and resources to increase childcare now under devolution if they wish - they don't need to break up the UK," he added.