JUST half of Scotland’s nurseries have committed to implementing the Scottish Government’s 1140 hours of funded childcare pledge.
In survey by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), only 51 per cent of private and publicly funded nurseries say they are very likely or likely to offer places, with many expressing fears over costs.
The news came as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the Smile Childcare Early Years Centre in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh to announce a £2 million fund to help improve access to nursery education for children with additional support needs.
The Government has committed to raising the amount of childcare available from 600 hours per year per child to 1140 by the end of 2020.
According to the NDNA’s report, providers are worried that the funding will fall far short.
The organisation said nurseries currently received an average of £3.64 an hour for providing childcare under the policy, leaving them with an average reported loss of £1.70 – the equivalent of £1020 per child over the 600 hours.
Chief executive Purnima Tanuku said: “More than half of respondents said thet expected to break even or make a loss this year. Offering 1140 hours will exacerbate this.
“Three-quarters of nurseries plan to increase their fees to parents in the next 12 months. So, parents are ultimately paying for this policy. Free childcare should be free for families and providers.”
Tanuku called on the Scottish Government to “be innovative and lead the way with their ambitious plans to overhaul the early-years sector”. She said: “The early learning and childcare policy blueprint included some great ideas which could transform the landscape for families with pre-school children, including an online early learning and childcare account.”
Sturgeon said: “Expanded provision must be delivered in a way that ensures equality of access for all children. We must give providers the skills and equipment to ensure that all children can benefit from the huge expansion of early learning and childcare.”
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