Funded early learning and childcare: FOI release

Information requested

I would like to question regarding a response given by John Swinney at 12:09 during FMQ at Holyrood on 24th April 2025 he said... "Families in Scotland benefit from 1140 hours of early learning and childcare for ALL 3 and 4 year olds". 

Is this true, as various pages across Scottish Government have different ways of describing this, some say 'eligible 3 and 4 year olds' other state depending on the council they are in. Please can you tell me whether the First Minister's statement was correct for all 3 and 4 year olds and that it does not depend on which council or any other eligibility criteria. 

Response

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people have access to high quality ELC in order to receive the support they need to reach their full learning potential, and to give them the best possible start in life.

As a result of the priority that the Scottish Government has placed on investing in funded ELC, families across Scotland have been benefitting from the provision of 1140 hours of high quality funded ELC since 2021.

I can confirm that three and four year olds in Scotland have a statutory entitlement of up to 1140 hours per year of funded ELC. More information, including when a child is eligible to start receiving their entitlement, is available on the Scottish Government website: Funded early learning and childcare for 3 to 5 year olds - mygov.scot

About a quarter of 2 year olds are also eligible – you can find out if your 2 year old is eligible for free childcare at: Funded early learning and childcare for 2 year olds - mygov.scot 

Local authorities hold the statutory duty for ensuring that funded ELC is available to all eligible children in their area, in line with statutory guidance and local delivery plans.

Local authorities can deliver funded ELC directly through their own services, or through contracting providers in the private, third and childminding sectors.

More information on funded ELC, when a child becomes eligible, how you can use your hours and how to contact your local council to apply for the funded hours is available on the Parent Club website. You can access the Parent Club website at Early learning and childcare funded hours: what’s your child entitled to? | Parent Club.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.