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Expansion of funded early learning and childcare to 1140 hours: 2018-2025 national outcomes evaluation

This is the overarching report on the national programme of evaluation from 2018 to 2025 of the expansion of funded early learning and childcare in Scotland to 1140 hours. It presents the main findings across all the strands of research and analysis that together form the outcomes evaluation.


References

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Audit Scotland (2018) Early Learning and Childcare.

Audit Scotland (2020) Early Learning and Childcare: Follow-up.

Audit Scotland (2023) Early Learning and Childcare Progress on Delivery of the 1,140 Hours Expansion.

Biggs, H. et al. (2026) Early Learning and Childcare – Parents’ Views and Use: Research Findings, 2025. Scottish Government.

Bradshaw, P. (2011) Growing Up in Scotland: Changes in Child Cognitive Ability in the Pre-school Years. Scottish Government.

Care Inspectorate (2025) Early Learning and Childcare Statistics, 2024 and Supporting Tables.

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Hardie, I. et al., (2026) COVID-19 Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) and Early Childhood Developmental Concerns in Scotland: an Interrupted Time Series Analysis. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, Volume 60.

Hinchliffe, S., Scholes, A. and Bradshaw, P. (2022) Scottish Study of Early Learning and Childcare: ELC Leavers (Phase 2) Report. Scottish Government.

Hinchliffe, S. et al., (2025) Scottish Study of Early Learning and Childcare: Phase 5 Report. Scottish Government.

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Improvement Service (2021) Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report, September 2021.

Improvement Service (2024) Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report, September 2024.

Improvement Service (2025) Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report, April 2025.

Jing, J.Q. et al. (2024) Impact of COVID-19 on Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Preschool Children: A Meta-analysis. BMC Pediatrics, 24 (455).

Knudsen, L. et al. (2017) Changes in Early Learning and Childcare Use at Age Five: Comparing Two Growing Up in Scotland Cohorts.

Kustatscher, M. at al. (2023) Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry: the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Delivery of Education to Children Under Five.

McAdams, R. et al. (2017) Evaluability Assessment of the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare. Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland.

Melhuish, E. et al. (2015) A review of Research on the Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) upon Child Development.

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Naumann, I. et al. (2022) Child and Parental Wellbeing during the Covid-Pandemic: Working Paper 1, February 2022. The University of Edinburgh.

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland (2022) Progress and Impact of 1140 hours ELC on Private, Voluntary and Independent Sector Nurseries. Written submission to the Scottish Parliament Education, Children and Young People Committee evidence session on implementation of 1140 hours early learning and childcare policy, 15 May 2022.

O'Connor, H. et al. (2025) Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Child Development: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. J Dev Behav Pediatr., Mar-Apr 01; 46(2): e227-e239.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2017) Starting Strong 2017: Key OECD Indicators on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022) Families and the Labour Market, UK, 2021.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2023) Earnings and Hours Worked, Place of Work by Local Authority: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) Table 7, 2023 revised edition.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2026) HI11 Regional Labour Market: Headline Indicators for Scotland, release date: 20 January 2026.

Hunter, L., White, J. and Wason, D. (2023) Speech, Language and Communication Development Among Children in Scotland During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data Summary. Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland; 2022.

Scobie, G. and Scott, E. (2017) Rapid Evidence Review: Childcare Quality and Children's Outcomes. Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland.

Scobie, G. et al. (2017) Provision of Early Learning and Childcare and Parents Outcomes: an Evidence Brief. Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland.

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) (2022) SCMA Childminding Evidence Paper in support of Changing the Narrative.

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) (2024) ELC Audit 2024.

Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) (2025) ELC Audit 2025.

Scottish Government (2014) One Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2014-15.

Scottish Government (2015) Tackling Inequalities in the Early Years: Key Messages from 10 Years of the Growing Up in Scotland Study.

Scottish Government (2016) Financial Review of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland: the Current Landscape.

Scottish Government (2017a) A Blueprint for 2020: the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in Scotland - ELC Expansion Planning Guidance for Local Authorities.

Scottish Government (2017b) A High Quality Workforce - Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland: Quality Action Plan.

Scottish Government (2018a) Every Child, Every Chance: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2018-2022.

Scottish Government (2018b) Exploring Parents' Views and Use of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland.

Scottish Government (2020) Scotland’s Wellbeing: The Impact of COVID-19.

Scottish Government (2021a) Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers: Interim Guidance, update March 2021.

Scottish Government (2021b) The Challenges of Rural Childcare Provision, Innovative Models and the Needs of Agricultural Families.

Scottish Government (2021c) Our Commitment to Childminding: Report.

Scottish Government (2022a) Best Start, Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022 to 2026.

Scottish Government (2022b) Best Start - Strategic Early Learning and School Age Childcare Plan 2022 to 2026.

Scottish Government (2022c) Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme: Evaluation Strategy.

Scottish Government (2022d) Early Learning and Childcare - Parents' Views and Use: Survey Findings, 2022.

Scottish Government (2022e) Accessing School Age Childcare in Rural and Island Areas: Research.

Scottish Government (2023a) Early Learning and Childcare: Sustainable Rates Review.

Scottish Government (2023b) Impact of, and Lessons from, Recent Economic Crises - Tackling Child Poverty - Progress Report 2022 to 2023: Annex d - Cost of Living Focus Report.

Scottish Government (2023c) Childcare Sector: Financial Sustainability Health Check - July 2023.

Scottish Government (2024a) Early Learning and Childcare Expansion to 1140 hours: Interim Evaluation Report.

Scottish Government (2024b) Early Learning and Childcare - Sustainable Rates for Funded Providers: Overview 2023 to 2024.

Scottish Government (2025a) Funding Follows the Child and the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers: Operating Guidance

Scottish Government (2025b) Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics 2023-24.

Scottish Government (2025c) Funded Early Learning and Childcare Statistics 2025.

Scottish Government (2025d) Scottish Household Survey 2024 Childcare.

Scottish Government (2025e) Early Learning and Childcare - Sustainable Rates for Funded Providers: Overview 2024 to 2025.

Scottish Government (2025f) The Scottish Health Survey 2024 - Volume 1: Main Report.

Scottish Government (2025g) Scotland's Labour Market Insights: April 2025.

Scottish Government (2025h) Understanding the Cost of Living Crisis in Scotland.

Scottish Government (2026) Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics 2024-25.

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (2023) Movement of Day Care of Children Staff Report 2023.

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) (2024) The Distribution of the Social Service Workforce.

Scottish Women's Budget Group (2023) Policy Briefing: Childcare Survey 2023.

Simon, A. et al. (2022) Acquisitions, Mergers and Debt: The New Language of Childcare – Main Report. London: UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) (2018) Skills Investment Plan For Scotland’s Early Learning and Childcare Sector.

Sylva, K., et al. (2004) The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) Project: Final Report. Institute of Education: London.

Thomson, S. et al., (2025) Rural and Islands Insights Report 2025. SRUC

The West Partnership, (2024) 1140 Hours Evaluation Report.

White, J.M. et al. (2025) Missed Opportunities: The Unknown Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development in the WHO European Region - ScienceDirect. Public Health in Practice, 10: 100681.

Wilson-Smith, E., Skellington Orr, K. and Barry, M. (2022) Decisions Influencing Early Learning and Childcare Use: Understanding Social Policies and Social Contexts. Scottish Government.

Contact

Email: socialresearch@gov.scot

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