£1.5 million for childcare initiatives across Scotland

The Scottish government have expanded their childcare provision through several projects backed by Access to Childcare Funding, which will see almost £1.5 million distributed across seven initiatives over the next two years.

The funding will finance the expansion or delivery of free or subsidised breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, term-time and holiday childcare, as well as specialist provision for children with complex additional support needs.

Families on or close to the poverty line would be able to reap the most benefits from expanded childcare provision by improving outcomes for children alongside supporting parents or carers to enter or sustain employment.

Children’s minister Natalie Don-Innes attended an after-school club at Fairview Primary run by Support, Help and Integration in Perthshire (SHIP), which provides school and holiday clubs for children aged 5-18 years with complex additional support needs, sensory and physical disabilities. She said:

“Since 2020, we have provided over £4.5 million through the Access to Childcare Fund to support projects delivering actives, childcare, food and family support.

“Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish government’s defining mission, and we know what a difference access to affordable school-age children can make for families that need it most.

“The projects receiving Access to Childcare Funding over the next two years are demonstrating the important role that school age childcare services play in supporting children’s health, wellbeing and relationships, and in enabling more parents and carers to balance caring for their children with work commitments, thereby helping increase household income.”

SHIP will receive £273,000 over two financial years through the Fairer Funding Pilot, and St Mirin’s Out of School Club, which delivers free or subsidised break, after-school and holiday clubs will receive over £275,000 over two years.