Today the Scottish Government has published Best Start: Strategic early learning and school age childcare plan for Scotland, 2022-26': https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781804359150

The Plan describes their vision and strategic priorities for early learning and school age childcare over the rest of this Parliament and articulates the three outcomes they expect their policies to deliver. These are: contributing to giving children the best start in life; supporting families to thrive; and, ensuring that parents and carers can enter or sustain work, training, or study.

It sets out how they will embed the benefits of the investment in 1140 hours of high quality funded early learning and childcare (ELC). It also explains the approach to expanding the childcare offer to 2026-27, including building a future system of school age childcare and a new ELC offer for one and two year olds, starting with those who need it most.

Work is already underway in early adopter sites to begin phasing-in of community level systems of school age childcare (SAC). Alongside the plan they are announcing £1 million investment to test what a new system will look like in Dundee, Clackmannanshire, Glasgow City and Inverclyde.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government's National Discussion Let's Talk Scottish Education' opened on 20 September and runs until 5 December. They are inviting everyone who has an interest in the future of the education system and the crucial role of early learning and school age childcare within it to join in. You can find more information, including how to get involved here: https://consult.gov.scot/national-discussion-scottish-education/