MORE than 4000 nursery staff need to be recruited to allow for the increase in free early learning and childcare (ELC) hours this year, Audit Scotland has said.

The Scottish Government has promised to increase free childcare hours from 600 to 1140 a year from August, and according to the public body there has been “steady progress”. However, it warned the success or failure of the policy is “critically dependent on achieving much in a short time”.

Councils, which have been given £567 million to deliver the pledge, have recruited the equivalent of 4310 full-time staff – approximately half of the amount required.

Caroline Gardner, auditor general for Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government and councils have worked well together to increase early learning and childcare hours, and we’ve also seen improvements in how the project will be evaluated.

“But the timeline remains tight and there are big risks around infrastructure and workforce.”

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The Government has said staffing levels in the sector have now reached a record-high of 40,000. Children’s Minister Maree Todd added: “We are on course to deliver the most generous, high-quality early learning and childcare offer in the UK, which can transform the lives of children.

“Through our strong partnership working with local government so much has already been achieved. There are already thousands of additional staff in post and councils will continue to grow their teams over the coming months.

“We have also been delivering a large-scale infrastructure programme to provide high-quality settings. Hundreds of nurseries have been built or refurbished, with work continuing across the country.”

She added: “We are committed to delivering the rollout from August and councils have contingency plans in place for all critical projects due to complete this summer so we can be confident that the places will be there to deliver the expansion for Scotland’s children.

“The expansion also opens up more opportunities for playgroups, private and third sector nurseries, and childminders to be involved in delivering funded hours.

“The quality of ELC provided is absolutely key. That is why we are investing in the workforce and developing improved learning opportunities for them to increase their skills and share best practice. With a passionate and dedicated workforce across all parts of the sector, and fantastic places for children to learn and play in a nurturing environment, there has never been a more exciting time for our childcare sector.”