Early learning and childcare - sustainable rates for funded providers: overview 2024 to 2025

Footnotes

1 East Ayrshire uplifted rates twice in 2024. Rates increased to £5.12 per hour from 1 April 2024, before increasing to £6.00 per hour from 1 August 2024, when rates for childminding providers were brought into line with those for private and third sector providers.

2 East Ayrshire uplifted rates twice in 2024. Rates increased to £5.12 per hour from 1 April 2024, before increasing to £6.15 per hour from 1 August 2024, when rates for childminding providers were brought into line with those for private and third sector providers.

3 Aberdeenshire councils catering service provide meals for funded providers that don’t have the catering facilities or for which producing meals is not financially viable. They offer up to five or six meals per week, depending on whether the child’s scheduled pattern of care is spread over the minimum 38 weeks (allowing for two meals per 10 hours day and up to six meals per week) or 40 or more weeks (allowing for two meals per 10 hours day and up to five meals per week) per year.

4 East Ayrshire council also provide daily hot meals to 4 out of 8 funded providers.

5 North Ayrshire council provide £3 per meal for funded providers and £2.50 per meal for childminders. Funded providers, excluding childminders, can opt to have the meals provided by North Ayrshire Council facilities.

6 Perth and Kinross council advise that in 2023/24, the meal rate was £2.80 and this was topped up with a £0.20 payment for snack provision. In 2024-25, the top-up was included within the meal payment and is now set as one combined payment.

7 Scottish Borders Council also provide a payment of £0.10 per child per day towards afternoon snacks for children.

8 Clackmannanshire Council also provide £3 per meal to partner childminders.

9 East Renfrewshire Council pay an hourly top up of £0.57 to funded providers, up to a maximum of £3.42 per session.

10 Falkirk Council also pay childminders a flat daily rate for meals of £2.05 in 2024-25.

11 Inverclyde Council pay £0.50 per hour to a maximum of £3.00 per day five times a week.

12 Stirling Council also allow funded providers to choose to receive delivery of a Stirling Council lunch.

13 Angus Council also offer additional support from the Angus ASN team and Educational Psychology team which is available as required to meet the needs of all children.

14 East Ayrshire Council offer access to a funded Learning Journal account, Psychological services, Community Practitioners and a Home Visiting Teacher. They also offer a facility to apply for payment of an enhanced hourly rate for children requiring additional support. Childminders have access to support from the Community Childminding Team.

15 East Renfrewshire Council also offer support through psychological services, including advice, support and referrals for children with additional support needs. They also offer support through Early Years Development Officers and an Early Years teacher to support funded providers. The Council also offer professional advice and support on quality improvement through the Early Years Development Officers and Quality Improvement Officer. They also allow providers to participate in all local authority meetings and networks and provide access to GLOW and online CLPL resources.

16 Eilean Siar Council also provides further support through the dedicated Family Support Team for referrals, support and signposting when required.

17 Falkirk Council offers private providers the opportunity to apply for exceptional support for learning support where there is/are a child/children with complex additional support needs. They also offer support through a childminder development officer.

18 Fife Council also offers advice, support and referrals for Additional Support Needs. They also offer advice on the Fife GIRFEC website.

19 Glasgow City Council also offers educational Psychology Support.

20 Highland Council also offer monthly meetings with funded providers.

21 Inverclyde Council also offer support from the Education Inclusion Officer, Principle Educational Psychologist and ICOS service.

22 North Ayrshire Council also offer laptops and IT support to access SEEMIS.

23 Perth and Kinross Council also offer support from Education Psychologists and Allied Health Professionals.

24 Renfrewshire council also offer access to a designated link Partnership Support Officer, Early Years Teacher and Early Years Graduate. They also offer professional advice and support on quality improvement, financial support towards external workforce training costs to assist in the compliance with SSSC requirements and other support services such as Educational Psychology. The Education Inclusion Officer Team also support and advise on with children with additional support needs; with ASNA supports provided is agreed.

25 Scottish Borders Council also offer support for settings via the Educational Psychologists, Outdoor education team and the procurement team regarding contracts. They also offer free let to some providers based in Scottish Borders.

26 Shetland Council also offers support through a link officer.

27 South Ayrshire Council also offer access to support and guidance for children with additional support needs such as inclusion team and Educational Psychological Services.

28 Stirling Council also offer funded providers the opportunity to participate in all local authority meetings and networks.