Policy - Latest
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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.
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56,000 parents apply for Scottish Child Payment
Thousands have applied for the new payment for children aged under six
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40,000 Baby Boxes delivered
Support for new parents.
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Support for outdoor play and learning
New £1 million children’s winter clothing fund.
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Deferring entry to primary one
Local authorities to pilot extra funded childcare from 2021.
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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.
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New benefits help families
Report shows positive impact of Best Start Grant payments.
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Childcare expansion from August 2021
New date for flagship policy announced.
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Nursery rate relief extended until 2023
Further support announced for childcare sector.
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Scottish Study of Early Learning and Childcare - three-year-olds (phase 3): report
Findings from the third phase of the Scottish Study of Early Learning and Childcare (SSELC), a research project established to evaluate the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): childminder services guidance
Non-statutory guidance to support childminding settings to operate safely.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): early learning and childcare (ELC) services
Non-statutory guidance to support the continued safe operation of ELC settings.
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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.
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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.
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Boost for Scottish youth work
New fund to help education recovery from COVID-19.
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Scottish Child Payment could support up to 194,000 children
Forecasts suggest around 24,000 additional children will qualify
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Help for childcare providers
Transitional Support Fund opens to help protect from COVID-19.
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Funding boost for science centres
Extra £2m to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
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Funding follows the child and the national standard for early learning and childcare providers: interim guidance
Interim guidance on requirements on early learning and childcare settings and local authorities from August 2020
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Families to be alerted to additional financial support
A first for social security in Scotland.
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Support for childcare sector
Transitional Support Fund announced.
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Early learning and childcare: letter to Directors of Education ELC LA leads
Joint letter from COSLA and Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP to Directors of Education, early learning and childcare (ELC) local authority leads.
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Reopening childcare safely
Guidance published for nurseries and other settings.
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Wellbeing of pupils to be prioritised
Guidance for education authorities and teachers published for next academic year.
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Outdoor learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Funding for Virtual Nature School.
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Schools to re-open in August
Safe return planned through mix of school and home learning.
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Easter childcare for key workers
Hubs to remain open over the spring break.
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Early Learning and Childcare expansion
Local authorities’ August 2020 deadline to deliver 1140 funded hours will be removed.
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Childcare provision for key workers
Criteria provided to local authorities to determine local need.
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Update on school closures and exams
Exams will not go ahead, teaching, learning and support can continue with local flexibility.
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School and nursery closures
Education Secretary to make statement to Parliament tomorrow.
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STEM Bursaries increased
Latest STEM Bursary Scheme opens for applications on Monday 16 March.
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Supporting parents
Tackling poverty through family learning.
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Reducing inequity in STEM subjects
Inspiring people of all ages to upskill and tackle the global climate emergency.
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Delivering for Scotland’s children
Early learning and childcare expansion on track with six months to go.
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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.
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Protecting family budgets
Putting wellbeing at the centre of Budget.
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Early learning and childcare audit 2019: our response
Our response to the Scottish Childminding Association’s 2019 ELC Audit.
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Learning in STEM in early years
New online module launched to support staff development.
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170,000 children eligible for new benefit
Applications will be taken in advance for Scottish Child Payment to help with expected high demand.
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Continuity of carer and local delivery of care: implementation framework
Framework to enable maternity services to access useful tools, resources and information to implement continuity of carer and local delivery of care, and track progress.
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Early Learning and Childcare expansion
Families can now enrol children for funded places for August.
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45,000 Baby Boxes delivered in 2019
Parents and new-borns across Scotland benefitting.
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Early learning and childcare statutory guidance: consultation
This consultation sets out updated 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 2020.
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Early learning and childcare
Increase in number of children receiving additional funded hours.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: Fairer Scotland Duty
A summary of the Fairer Scotland Duty assessment carried out for the early learning and childcare (ELC) expansion.
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First step to new Scottish Child Payment
Plans for the creation of new benefit outlined.
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Early years expansion
Thousands of children already benefiting from additional hours.
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Training for childminders
New online learning resource to be launched.
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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.
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Scottish Child Payment ahead of schedule
Eligible families to start receiving new benefit next year.
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Out of school care in Scotland - draft framework: consultation
This draft framework for consultation sets out a vision for out of school care, considers the current picture, and asks questions about the benefits and challenges of accessing out of school care.
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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.
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Best Start Grant pays out nearly £13 million
Families getting more support under new system.
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Scottish study of early learning and childcare: phase 1 report
Phase 1 of the Scottish Study of Early Learning and Childcare (SSELC) aimed to gather a robust baseline of child and parent outcomes for a cohort of eligible two-year-olds who were receiving 600 hours of funded early learning and childcare provision.
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Barriers to employment in early learning and childcare: EQIA
This equality impact assessment (EQIA) was undertaken to consider barriers faced by those with protected characteristics to taking up employment in the early learning and childcare (ELC) sector and how we can use the opportunity of the expansion to increase the diversity of the ELC workforce.
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Early learning and childcare expansion - 2 year old eligibility: BRIA
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) which looks at the expansion of early learning and childcare from 660 hours per year to 1140 hours per year for eligible two year olds.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: EQIA
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) to consider the impacts on families with a protected characteristic of increasing the statutory entitlement to 1140 hours of funded ELC and of modifying the current session lengths.
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Early learning and childcare expansion - learning and wellbeing project: EQIA
Potential impacts of early learning and childcare expansion policy on the outcomes of children with protected characteristics.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: CRWIA
Children's rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) on childrens rights and wellbeing relating to the early learning and childcare expansion to 1140 hours by August 2020 for all eligible 2 year olds.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: BRIA
Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) relating to the expansion of early learning and childcare for 1140 hours per year for all 3 and 4 year olds, and eligible 2 year olds by August 2020.
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Early learning and childcare expansion - learning and wellbeing project: EQIA
Potential impacts of early learning and childcare expansion policy on the outcomes of children with protected characteristics.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: EQIA
Equality impact assessment (EQIA) to consider the impacts on families with a protected characteristic of increasing the statutory entitlement to 1140 hours of funded ELC and of modifying the current session lengths.
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Early learning and childcare expansion: CRWIA
Children’s rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impacts that increasing the statutory entitlement to 1140 hours of funded ELC and modifying the current session lengths will have on children eligible for ELC in Scotland.
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New fund for after school and holiday childcare
Fund will deliver accessible and affordable childcare to support families on low incomes.
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Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006: national review progress report
This joint report from the Association of Directors of Education, the National Parent Forum and the Scottish Government outlines the progress that has been made in the fields of parental involvement, parental engagement, family learning and learning at home.
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Nurseries praised for innovation
New awards recognise Early Learning and Childcare success.
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Breastfeeding support ‘strong’
Report publishes during Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
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New School Payment launches
Full Best Start Grant package now available.
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Best start grant for young asylum seekers
Pregnancy and baby benefit will not jeopardise immigration status.
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Early Learning and Childcare expansion programme
New initiative will boost quality of childcare.
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Best Start Grant applications flood in
Social Security Secretary welcomes interest in new benefit.
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Meeting the social security challenge
Work to do but plans in place to deliver benefits system.
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New benefit pays out £3.5 million in first three months
More than 9,700 families receive Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby payment.
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New Best Start Grant Payment to open
£250 benefit starts Monday and will be fourth new social security benefit.
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Families and community learning
Funding to improve the lives of children and young people.
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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.
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‘Ready Steady Baby’ guidance updated
New edition of NHS Scotland’s guide to pregnancy, labour and birth.
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Upgraded PlayTalkRead roadshow fleet
Roadshow visitors increase 31% in the last year.
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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.
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Olivia and Jack are Scotland's top baby names
National Records of Scotland reveals most popular names for 2018.
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Schools in Scotland and CfE Achievement
National and Official (Experimental - Data under development) Statistics Publications for Scotland.
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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.
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Encouraging more men into childcare
New fund for pilot projects.
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More support for parents
New engagement plan to improve links between home and school.
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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.
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Museum spot for Baby Box
Box will be placed into childhood exhibition.
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Baby Box birthday
A year since the first delivery.
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Parents' views and use of early learning and childcare: data tables
Figures showing parents’ and carers’ current use, future potential use, views and experiences of early learning and childcare.
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Parents' views and use of early learning and childcare: report
Information on parents’ and carers’ current use, future potential use, views and experiences of early learning and childcare.
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Improved anti-bullying measures
Incidents to be recorded.
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Pilot to end upfront childcare deposits
Parents set to benefit from new trial.
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Childcare recruitment underway
New campaign focusing on career changers.
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Almost a billion pounds to fully fund childcare
Funding package agreed in partnership with COSLA.
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Early years assistance: consultation on the Best Start Grant regulations
This consultation asks questions on whether the draft Best Start Grant regulations will help to improve children’s wellbeing and life chances.
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Family nurses helping to deliver
More than 30,000 Baby Boxes now received.
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Learning outdoors
More than £860k to increase outdoor learning in the early years.
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Early years apprentices
Increases to fuel roll-out of funded childcare.
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2018: Baby boxes
First baby boxes of the new year delivered.
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Christmas Maths Challenge
DFM launches festive puzzles.
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Ticking all the right boxes
100% of parents satisfied with Baby Box and contents.
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Scotland’s Budget
Investing in the NHS, protecting low earners, backing Scotland’s economy.
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New Minister for Childcare and Early Years
First Minister to appoint Maree Todd.
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Improving attainment in early years
High quality childcare improves children’s development.
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Support for first-time mums
Family Nurse Partnership to be extended.
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Childcare spending to double to £840 million a year
Huge expansion of free early learning and childcare.
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Improving children's oral health
Childsmile programme expands.
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Scotland: a Daily Mile Nation
All Scottish schools encouraged to take part.
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Baby Box registrations reach 10,000
High number of parents already registered to receive a Baby Box.
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New visitor centre at Glenochil Prison
Formal opening for visitor centre.
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Parents get involved in Stay, Play and Learn
Trial Aberdeen childcare scheme underway.
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Giving children space to grow
New guide to improve childcare settings.
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A blueprint for 2020: the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland - 2017-2018 action plan
Outline of actions regarding the expansion of early learning and childcare.
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Future of childcare provision
Minister confirms quality and choice at heart of new funding model for ELC expansion.
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Accessible childcare
FM announces fund to improve access to free ELC entitlement.
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Fair pay at heart of childcare expansion
8,000 childcare staff to earn the living wage.
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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
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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.
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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.