1. More help for more families

    Income thresholds to be removed for Best Start Foods. 

  2. Relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in schools - draft statutory guidance: consultation

    This consultation seeks views on draft updated statutory guidance on the delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education in Scottish schools. The draft guidance is an update to guidance originally published in 2014 and reflects recommendations from the PSE Review and LGBTI Inclusive Education Working Group.

  3. Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

    Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) of the Fair Work Action Plan 2022 and Anti-Racist Employment Strategy 2022.

  4. Scottish Household Survey 2021 - telephone survey: key findings

    A summary of the key findings from the Scottish Household Survey 2021 telephone survey.

  5. Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start

    This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.

  6. Welcome to Scotland: a guide for Service personnel and their families - updated 2023

    Welcome to Scotland is a guide to support service personnel and their families upon their move to Scotland. Due to the moving nature of service personnel and their families they can be transferred to different bases. This booklet gives key information on what to expect when moving to Scotland.

  7. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022

    The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.

  8. Experiencing Life Events and Childhood Subjective Wellbeing: A Longitudinal Analysis of Growing Up in Scotland

    Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) is a longitudinal study following the lives of young people. This report presents analysis of several data sweeps of Birth Cohort 1 (BC1) and looks at the impact of some key life events on measures of subjective wellbeing.

  9. National Improvement Framework (NIF) and improvement plan 2023: summary

    Summarises the vision and priorities for Scottish education that have been agreed across the system, and the national improvement activity that needs to be undertaken to help deliver those key priorities.

  10. Supporting outdoor play

    Planning reforms to boost play provision.

  11. Early learning and childcare and school age childcare services inspection consultation: SG response

    Scottish Government response to the consultation on inspection of early learning and childcare and school age childcare services in Scotland

  12. Early learning and childcare and school age childcare services inspection: consultation analysis

    The analysis report of the consultation on inspection of early learning and childcare and school age childcare services in Scotland.

  13. Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group: interim report - easy read

    Easy read version of an interim report outlines the group’s work so far and provides a summary of possible steps towards a Minimum Income Guarantee.

  14. Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group: interim report

    This interim report provides an outline of the group’s work to date towards defining a Minimum Income Guarantee, the context in which the policy is being developed, provide a high-level overview of direction and early thinking towards potential actions.

  15. Renewing Scotland’s play parks

    £50 million investment.

  16. Children and young people's voices matter: progress report - March 2023

    Report on progress made on the actions agreed at the sixth annual meeting of Cabinet members and children and young people on 1 March 2022.

  17. An Toiseach as Fheàrr: Plana ro-innleachdail airson tràth-ionnsachadh agus cùram-chloinne aig aois sgoile airson Alba 2022-26 An Dàmhair 2022

    Gaelic version of plan setting out how we will embed the benefits of our transformational investment in 1140 hours of high quality funded early learning and childcare. It also explains our approach to expanding our childcare offer over the next four years.

  18. Scottish local government finance - Green Book: 2023-2024

    Scottish Local Government Finance Settlement 2023-24: Funding Allocation Formula.

  19. 250,000 Baby Boxes delivered

    Supporting parents with cost of living.

  20. Supporting roots: report

    Report providing a broad picture of the needs of birth parents who have lost a child or children to ‘care’, and of the support and services that are currently available in Scotland. This report is designed to support best practice and service innovation.

  21. Deadline for School Age Payment approaches

    Families urged to make sure they don't miss out

  22. Commission for the land-based learning review: report to Scottish Ministers

    The report produced by the Commission, a short term advisory group established to provide independent, evidence-based advice and submitted to Scottish Ministers on how to attract more people into land-based and aquaculture sectors by improving learning pathways.

  23. Parents back funded Early Learning and Childcare

    Independent survey shows benefits to children and families.

  24. Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland 2022

    A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

  25. Supporting children and families

    Early learning and childcare savings.

  26. Help with school age childcare

    £1 million to support low-income families.

  27. Best Start - strategic early learning and school age childcare plan 2022 to 2026

    The plan sets out how we will embed the benefits of our transformational investment in 1140 hours of high quality funded early learning and childcare. It also explains our approach to expanding our childcare offer over the next four years.

  28. Record number of pupils in good condition schools

    Statistics show impact of investment.

  29. Cost Crisis Programme for Government

    Scottish Child Payment increased from 14 November.

  30. Early learning and childcare – national induction resource - latest version: January 2023

    The early learning and childcare (ELC) national induction resource has been developed to support individuals in their induction to delivering ELC – whether that is funded ELC or ELC that families purchase themselves - setting out how individuals can expect employers to support them in their new role.

  31. Celebrating five years of the Baby Box

    Revamp ahead of scheme’s milestone.

  32. National Discussion on education

    Invitation to work together to drive change.

  33. Family Nurse Partnerships

    Success of 10 year programme

  34. Childcare savings for families

    Easing cost of living pressures.

  35. Free outdoor play activities

    Supporting children’s wellbeing.

  36. Investment in tackling child poverty

    Supporting low income households.

  37. New Bairns’ Hoose appointment

    Post will drive improvements for children.

  38. Doubling the Scottish Child Payment

    First Minister announces £20 payment from April.

  39. 200,000 Baby Boxes delivered

    Milestone for popular scheme.

  40. Childcare savings for families

    Transformational offer helping thousands across the country.

  41. Boost for family budgets before Christmas

    Around 148,000 children set to benefit.

  42. Scottish Child Payment helps more than 108,000 children

    New Child poverty benefit pays out £17.6 million to families in need

  43. Backing for Baby Box

    Parents praise scheme on its fourth anniversary.

  44. Increasing free early learning and childcare

    Transformational offer to benefit families across the country.

  45. Early learning and childcare: statutory guidance - July 2021

    Statutory guidance to education authorities to support them in exercising their functions in relation to the delivery of early learning and childcare from 1 August 2021.

  46. Early learning and childcare expansion

    More children receiving 1,140 funded hours.

  47. Education recovery: next steps

    SQA and Education Scotland to be reformed.

  48. Best Start Grant boost for parents

    Financial support for school costs and healthy foods.  

  49. Enhanced summer offer for all children

    A national “summer of play” to provide access to activities.

  50. Early learning and childcare - Out to Play: guidance for out of school care providers - section 10

    Supplementary chapter 10 should be used alongside the main Out to Play document to support the delivery of outdoor experiences in Out of School Care settings.

  51. Early learning and childcare - Out to Play: childminding settings - guidance - section 9

    Guidance and advice for childminding settings on how to access outdoor spaces to create safe, nurturing and high quality outdoor learning experiences.

  52. Early learning and childcare - Out to Play: guidance for practitioners supporting children with additional support needs - section 11

    Supplementary guidance (section 11) should be used alongside the main Out to Play document to support the delivery of outdoor experiences for children in early learning and childcare (ELC) with additional support needs.

  53. Nature-based early learning and childcare - influence on children's health, wellbeing and development: literature review

    This review of global evidence aimed to understand the extent to which nature-based early learning and childcare (ELC) influences young children’s physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development

  54. First families receive Scottish Child Payments

    52,000 applications approved.

  55. Increased support for childminders

    Payments will support business sustainability.

  56. Back to school

    Phased return for some pupils.

  57. Coronavirus (COVID-19): children, young people and families - evidence summary - December 2020

    Summary of Scottish and UK evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of children and young people.

  58. 56,000 parents apply for Scottish Child Payment

    Thousands have applied for the new payment for children aged under six

  59. 40,000 Baby Boxes delivered

    Support for new parents.

  60. Support for outdoor play and learning

    New £1 million children’s winter clothing fund.

  61. Deferring entry to primary one

    Local authorities to pilot extra funded childcare from 2021.

  62. Early learning and childcare access in a deferred year: joint implementation plan

    Joint Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) plan for funded early learning and childcare places for all children who defer their primary one start.

  63. New benefits help families

    Report shows positive impact of Best Start Grant payments.

  64. Childcare expansion from August 2021

    New date for flagship policy announced.

  65. Nursery rate relief extended until 2023

    Further support announced for childcare sector.

  66. Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on children, young people and families - evidence summary October 2020

    Summary of Scottish and UK evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of children and young people.

  67. Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on children, young people and families - evidence summary July 2020

    Summary of Scottish and UK evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of children and young people.

  68. Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on children, young people and families - evidence summary September 2020

    Summary of Scottish and UK evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of children and young people.

  69. Out of school care - draft framework: consultation analysis

    This is the summary report of the 2019 consultation on the draft framework for Out of School Care in Scotland. It will inform the final Framework and provide evidence for future development of School Age Childcare policy.

  70. Early learning and childcare: induction resource

    This induction resource provides new ELC employees with all the relevant information they need on what to expect in their first few months in post, including the most up-to-date resources and best practice.

  71. Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact of restrictions on children and young people: CRWIA stage 3

    This Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) sets out the consideration which has been given to children’s rights and wellbeing for the latest COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings to enable children and young people to live their lives as normally as possible, to reduce the impact on their health and wider wellbeing.

  72. Boost for Scottish youth work

    New fund to help education recovery from COVID-19.

  73. Scottish Child Payment could support up to 194,000 children

    Forecasts suggest around 24,000 additional children will qualify

  74. Help for childcare providers

    Transitional Support Fund opens to help protect from COVID-19.

  75. Funding boost for science centres

    Extra £2m to mitigate the impact of  COVID-19.

  76. Families to be alerted to additional financial support

    A first for social security in Scotland.

  77. Support for childcare sector

    Transitional Support Fund announced.

  78. Reopening childcare safely

    Guidance published for nurseries and other settings.

  79. Wellbeing of pupils to be prioritised

    Guidance for education authorities and teachers published for next academic year.

  80. Outdoor learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Funding for Virtual Nature School.

  81. Schools to re-open in August

    Safe return planned through mix of school and home learning.

  82. Easter childcare for key workers

    Hubs to remain open over the spring break.

  83. Early Learning and Childcare expansion

    Local authorities’ August 2020 deadline to deliver 1140 funded hours will be removed.

  84. Childcare provision for key workers

    Criteria provided to local authorities to determine local need.

  85. Update on school closures and exams

    Exams will not go ahead, teaching, learning and support can continue with local flexibility.

  86. School and nursery closures

    Education Secretary to make statement to Parliament tomorrow.

  87. STEM Bursaries increased

    Latest STEM Bursary Scheme opens for applications on Monday 16 March.

  88. Supporting parents

    Tackling poverty through family learning.

  89. Reducing inequity in STEM subjects

    Inspiring people of all ages to upskill and tackle the global climate emergency.

  90. Delivering for Scotland’s children

    Early learning and childcare expansion on track with six months to go.

  91. Out to Play - creating outdoor play experiences for children: practical guidance

    Guidance and advice for early learning and childcare settings and practitioners on how to access outdoor spaces to create safe, nurturing and inspiring outdoor learning experiences.

  92. Protecting family budgets

    Putting wellbeing at the centre of Budget.

  93. Learning in STEM in early years

    New online module launched to support staff development.

  94. 170,000 children eligible for new benefit

    Applications will be taken in advance for Scottish Child Payment to help with expected high demand.

  95. Early Learning and Childcare expansion

    Families can now enrol children for funded places for August.

  96. 45,000 Baby Boxes delivered in 2019

    Parents and new-borns across Scotland benefitting.

  97. Early learning and childcare

    Increase in number of children receiving additional funded hours.

  98. First step to new Scottish Child Payment

    Plans for the creation of new benefit outlined.

  99. Early years expansion

    Thousands of children already benefiting from additional hours.

  100. Training for childminders

    New online learning resource to be launched.      

  101. The right help at the right time in the right place: strategy for the learning provision for children and young people with complex additional support needs 2017-2026

    This ten year strategy sits within the context of our other policies and strategies to improve the learning outcomes for children and young people with complex additional support needs living in Scotland.

  102. Scottish Child Payment ahead of schedule

    Eligible families to start receiving new benefit next year.

  103. Out of school care parent survey: report

    Details the views of parents/carers of five to 13 year old children regarding out of school care, including term-time and holiday care.

  104. Best Start Grant pays out nearly £13 million

    Families getting more support under new system.

  105. New fund for after school and holiday childcare

    Fund will deliver accessible and affordable childcare to support families on low incomes.

  106. Nurseries praised for innovation

    New awards recognise Early Learning and Childcare success.

  107. Breastfeeding support ‘strong’

    Report publishes during Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

  108. New School Payment launches

    Full Best Start Grant package now available.

  109. Best start grant for young asylum seekers

    Pregnancy and baby benefit will not jeopardise immigration status.

  110. Early Learning and Childcare expansion programme

    New initiative will boost quality of childcare.  

  111. Best Start Grant applications flood in

    Social Security Secretary welcomes interest in new benefit.

  112. Meeting the social security challenge

    Work to do but plans in place to deliver benefits system.

  113. New benefit pays out £3.5 million in first three months

    More than 9,700 families receive Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby payment.

  114. New Best Start Grant Payment to open

    £250 benefit starts Monday and will be fourth new social security benefit.

  115. Families and community learning

    Funding to improve the lives of children and young people.

  116. Presumption to provide education in a mainstream setting: guidance

    Guidance to education authorities on their duty to provide education in a mainstream setting unless certain exceptions apply.

  117. ‘Ready Steady Baby’ guidance updated

    New edition of NHS Scotland’s guide to pregnancy, labour and birth.

  118. Upgraded PlayTalkRead roadshow fleet

    Roadshow visitors increase 31% in the last year.

  119. A meal for every child at funded early learning and childcare sessions

    Major new Scottish Government scheme delivers healthy food, outdoor play & living wage in childcare.

  120. Olivia and Jack are Scotland's top baby names

    National Records of Scotland reveals most popular names for 2018. 

  121. Schools in Scotland and CfE Achievement

    National and Official (Experimental - Data under development) Statistics Publications for Scotland.

  122. Ready to Act: interim report on implementation and recommendations

    Progress made so far on supporting allied health professions children and young people (AHP CYP) community and direction for 2018-2020.

  123. Encouraging more men into childcare

    New fund for pilot projects.

  124. More support for parents

    New engagement plan to improve links between home and school.

  125. Learning together: national action plan on parental involvement, engagement, family learning and learning at home 2018 – 2021

    Sets out a vision for parental involvement and engagement from pre-birth to age 18 and takes account of national and international evidence base and Scottish education system expertise. Provides a national vision but allows for local and community innovation and flexibility.

  126. Museum spot for Baby Box

    Box will be placed into childhood exhibition.

  127. Baby Box birthday

    A year since the first delivery.

  128. Improved anti-bullying measures

    Incidents to be recorded.

  129. Pilot to end upfront childcare deposits

    Parents set to benefit from new trial.

  130. Childcare recruitment underway

    New campaign focusing on career changers.

  131. Almost a billion pounds to fully fund childcare

    Funding package agreed in partnership with COSLA.

  132. Family nurses helping to deliver

    More than 30,000 Baby Boxes now received.

  133. Learning outdoors

    More than £860k to increase outdoor learning in the early years.

  134. Early years apprentices

    Increases to fuel roll-out of funded childcare.

  135. 2018: Baby boxes

    First baby boxes of the new year delivered.

  136. Christmas Maths Challenge

    DFM launches festive puzzles.

  137. Ticking all the right boxes

    100% of parents satisfied with Baby Box and contents.

  138. Scotland’s Budget

    Investing in the NHS, protecting low earners, backing Scotland’s economy.

  139. New Minister for Childcare and Early Years

    First Minister to appoint Maree Todd.

  140. Improving attainment in early years

    High quality childcare improves children’s development.

  141. Support for first-time mums

    Family Nurse Partnership to be extended.

  142. Childcare spending to double to £840 million a year

    Huge expansion of free early learning and childcare.

  143. Improving children's oral health

    Childsmile programme expands.

  144. Scotland: a Daily Mile Nation

    All Scottish schools encouraged to take part.

  145. Baby Box registrations reach 10,000

    High number of parents already registered to receive a Baby Box.

  146. New visitor centre at Glenochil Prison

    Formal opening for visitor centre.

  147. Parents get involved in Stay, Play and Learn

    Trial Aberdeen childcare scheme underway.

  148. Giving children space to grow

    New guide to improve childcare settings.

  149. Future of childcare provision

    Minister confirms quality and choice at heart of new funding model for ELC expansion.

  150. Accessible childcare

    FM announces fund to improve access to free ELC entitlement.

  151. Fair pay at heart of childcare expansion

    8,000 childcare staff to earn the living wage.

  152. Ready to Act - A transformational plan for Children and young people, their parents, carers and families who require support from allied health professionals (AHPs)

    The Plan meets the evolving needs of Children and Young People in providing an equitable and sustainable model that reflects the early years agenda and the integration of health and social care services

  153. Independent review of Scotland's early learning and out of school care workforces

    An independent review of the skills and qualifications essential for the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and Out of School Care (OSC) workforces in Scotland.

  154. The Early Years Framework

    Steps the Scottish Government, local partners and practitioners in early years services need to take to give all children in Scotland the best start in life.

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