Early Learning and Childcare Expansion delivery trials: evaluation

Annex A – Summary of the 14 ELC expansion trials

1. Angus

This trial looked at the conversion of a small nursery class to focus on outdoor learning and increasing the capacity of the nursery. It saw provision move from part-time to a full-day model, within the school day (9am to 3pm). Linked childminders provided before and after- care if needed. It featured community consultation to support development of the project.

2. Argyll and Bute

This trial worked with existing provision to extend from part time to full-day ELC for two to five-year-olds. Additional hours were made available through local childminders. Working with a Community Trust, this project also developed holiday care.

3. Dumfries and Galloway

This trial expanded current term-time ELC provision to full-day, all-year-round provision. A partner-provider setting provided greater flexibility for parents/carers. Further flexibility was provided by childminders, who were commissioned to provide additional hours in a combined model where needed.

4. Dundee

This innovative project trialled combined ELC provision, utilising childminders, for eligible two-year-olds. It specifically targeted children at risk of being placed on the child protection register or who were newly placed on the register, and developed holistic referral and monitoring processes for those children.

5. East Ayrshire

This trial built on an existing community childminding model and provided combined ELC provision with childminders for eligible two-year-olds. Childminders were linked to local nurseries to maintain consistency for children.

6. Eilean Siar

This project trialled extending morning-only, term-time nursery provision to full-day, year- round provision for two to five-year-olds. The extended provision was integrated with out- of-school care to meet whole family needs and improve sustainability in a remote and rural community. It also planned to develop the provision of parenting support alongside the ELC, all in one place.

7. Glasgow

Glasgow trialled a new staffing model to increase flexible access. This project, in an area of high deprivation, provided a blended model of provision with childminders working with the nursery to provide part of the child's ELC experience.

8. Midlothian

This trial extended an existing family learning centre approach. It employed local childminders and brought together services for under sixes and out-of-school care, as well as health and family support services in the area.

9. North Ayrshire

This project focused on an area of high deprivation and linked provision of ELC to local employability services, aimed at helping parents/carers to access employment, training or education. It used a customised model of ELC to suit individual family needs, and parents/ carers were able to choose from the local authority nursery, registered childminders, local private partner nursery, or a combination of any of these services.

10. Shetland

This project featured a community consultation on a flexible model of ELC provision. It increased hours within an ELC setting to full-day provision. It also established commissioning arrangements with private providers and childminders.

11. South Lanarkshire

South Lanarkshire's trial featured a combined model of ELC provision, with registered childminders working with a local Children's Centre. It focused on an area of high deprivation, and childminders were used to support parents/carers in outlying communities. This support included programmed participation of children and childminders in the nursery, time spent by the child at the nursery, and time spent by the child at the childminder's home.

12. Aberdeen

This project trialled a new and innovative approach to providing ELC for eligible two-year- olds. It was based on the existing model of Stay and Play delivered by Early Years Scotland, which is built on parental engagement being pivotal to achieving positive outcomes for children, especially for children and families experiencing disadvantages. Unlike existing services for eligible two year olds, where a general period of settling in is planned, the model offered parents/carers the opportunity to stay and play.

13. Scottish Borders

This trial built on existing provision where some wraparound existed, but where parents/ carers were previously required to pay. The trial offered an increase in the number of hours of ELC provided Monday to Friday during term time. ELC provision was also offered during holiday periods to meet parental demand. The trial explored how ELC could be delivered holistically and integrated with other services, including the out-of-school club and the Early Years Centre.

14. Edinburgh

This project looked to extend two nursery settings within Edinburgh through the establishment of outdoor nursery provision in the form of a nature kindergarten. The trial targeted nurseries in areas of high deprivation. Additional hours were offered to pre-school children (four-year-olds) to minimise disruption on conclusion of the trial.