Calls to create more choice in nursery places

Think tank wants ‘virtual vouchers’ to widen access

CALLS have been made for the introduction of a “virtual voucher” that allows parents to use their allocation of government-funded pre-school learning hours at any nursery.

Think tank Reform Scotland said while there is a policy of offering all three- and four-year-olds 600 hours of funded nursery provision per year, many children are missing out as many working parents cannot find council nurseries or council-approved nurseries which offer suitable hours.

Figures show a postcode lottery of unrestricted access to government-funded pre-school early learning places as councils endure budgetary constraints.

The centre-right leaning research group said parents should be handed the right to be able to use their funded hours at any private nursery of their choice, as long as it is properly regulated and has spaces.

Reform Scotland’s research director Alison Payne said: “This is not about the private sector versus the public sector, but acknowledging that most council nurseries do not provide the full-time care that working parents need, and therefore, for all children to be guaran- teed to receive government-funded nursery provision, the money must follow the child.

“If an independent nursery meets the Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate standards, parents should by right be able to take their full government-funded entitlement there as a ‘virtual voucher’.”

National Day Nurseries Association Scotland (NDNA) have been fighting without success to ensure that parental choice is enshrined in law in Scotland and that pre-school education funding follows the child directly, rather than going to councils.

The free nursery education programme is paid for through a Government allocation to local authorities and is offered at council-accredited day nurseries, private nursery schools, pre-schools, playgroups and primary school reception classes.

It emerged in 2011 that East Dunbartonshire was the first local authority to limit funding because the £1.3m it allocated in its budget for funding partners’ nursery places had run out.

It decided to refuse new funding requests for parental choice of private-sector nursery care after a July deadline and provide a local authority nursery. But at the time local authority nurseries did not provide the wrap-around care most working parents required.

Other councils have since admitted introducing restrictions, either by capping the number of places available, setting deadlines, or only accepting or prioritising local children.

Reform Scotland accused those councils who limit places of putting political ideology ahead of children’s needs.

A Scottish Government spokesman said:“Local authorities are now required to consult with groups of parents at least once every two years on patterns of childcare provision that would best meet their needs, which will introduce a greater level of flexibility and choice to the system as we work with local government to further develop and expand provision.”

‘‘ This is not about private versus public, but acknowledges most council nurseries do not give full-time care

THERE was passion in abundance as the siege of Dirleton Castle was re-enacted by warriors armed with spears and axes.

The event was organised by owners Historic Scotland as part of the Bank Holiday festivities held at the East Lothian castle, which is one of the finest examples of its type which still exists in Scotland.

This particular re-enactment dates back to 1298, when the castle was besieged by English forces led byAntony Beck, Bishop of Durham, acting for King Edward I. Picture: Gordon Terris