Coronavirus (COVID-19): re-opening childcare - impact assessment

Chapter 3 : How those living in island communities have been affected

Island communities

The nature of ELC and childcare provision in island communities (and other remote and rural communities) varies from provision in more populous areas. Settings are typically smaller and face higher operating costs due to smaller numbers of children. For ELC, childminding, third sector and local authority-run provision tend to be more prevalent than private settings. The sustainability challenges facing the private, third and childminding sectors across Scotland as they begin to reopen are therefore likely to be particularly acute in an island setting.

ELC and childcare services operating at this time may have periods where staff numbers are reduced (e.g. due to advice from a GP for themselves or a family member to continue to shield, or if self-isolating as part of Scotland's Test and Protect strategy). In an island context with a small population and where settings typically rely on a smaller workforce, this could have a very significant impact on the capacity that can be offered, in turn affecting economic recovery in the area. It will be important to consider the potential variation in workforce impacts across Scotland when modelling capacity.

The extent to which local authorities are able to flex the re-opening framework to respond to individual circumstances is likely to be a key concern for island communities. Public health measures that are appropriate in larger settings and more populous areas may be less practicable or relevant in smaller, more isolated communities.

Now that the ELC and childcare sector guidance is in place, we will continue to work across local and national government, Education Scotland, the Care Inspectorate and Public Health Scotland to ensure that it remains relevant for settings in island and remote rural communities.

Gaelic medium education

Gaelic medium education (GME) is a distinct sector within Scottish education and aspires to provide a 3-18 education. For the youngest age group, before attendance at school, this will be delivered through access to early learning and childcare (ELC).

The nature of GME is clearly described in the Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education.

In 2019 there were 4,631 children in the GME sector. In the same year there were 541 children with Gaelic (Scots) as their main home language ²³.

Therefore we can assume that a majority of GME learners do not speak Gaelic at home, and consequently childcare closures will have had a negative impact on the language development of these children.