Early Learning and Childcare Needs in Stirling

In Scotland eligible children (i.e. all children aged three or four, and two years olds who meet specific eligibility criteria) are entitled to up to 1140 funded (free) hours per year of early learning and childcare (ELC). Some children are also eligible for an additional year in ELC where parents/carers choose to defer entry to primary school.

In Stirling Council Local Authority (LA) nurseries, funded hours are currently delivered over 25 or 30 free hours per week, dependant on whether the nursery is operational in line with the school term time or over extended weeks of the year. In most nurseries, where there is availability, families can currently purchase additional sessions.

Our current LA models are:

1. 1 nursery operating 9am-3pm term-time, 5 x 6-hour sessions, over 38 weeks.
2. 2 nurseries operating from 8am-6pm term-time, 6 x 5-hour sessions, over 38 weeks.
3. 18 nurseries operating from 8am-6pm, 5 x 5-hour sessions, over 45.6 weeks. *
4. 8 nurseries operating from 8am-6pm, 5 x 5-hour sessions (8am-1pm/1-6pm), over 45.6 weeks with the option to purchase an additional 2 weeks and 2 days (during the summer) totalling 48.2 weeks of the year. *

* Where required, and availability allows, models 3/4 also offer 8am-6pm term-time, 6 x 5-hour sessions, over 38 weeks of the year.

The 45.6 week model provides 1140 funded ELC hours per year, delivered as 25 hours of funding across 45.6 weeks per year. Hours are provided across the full academic year (August to August) in line with nursery open / closed periods. Nurseries in this model close for 29 days per year. Closure dates include public holidays and in-service days, as well as Christmas Eve, the week between Christmas and New Year, 1 week at Easter and 12 days during school summer holiday period.

Alongside LA ELC provision, partnership arrangements are in place with Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) nurseries and Funded Childminders, which enable families to access funded hours fully or partly in a PVI or Childminder setting. Most funded partners operate between 8am-6pm across the full year, however many also offer term time options. These partnerships are valued as an important part of current ELC delivery and will continue to be integral in ensuring the best options possible are available to meet the needs of all children and families.

It has been 10 years since the Scottish Government introduced, and started to phase in, the expansion of ELC. Since then, there have been a number of changes, including; families working patterns, childcare needs, and falling birthrates. Stirling's main model of ELC delivery with an extended day and extended year, has led to challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff, cover for staff absences, and less time for staff to have professional learning opportunities. We plan to review our ELC delivery models to respond to changing need and current challenges.

To maintain the quality of ELC provision, we want to hear from you about what is working and explore whether other ELC delivery models would suit families' needs, as well as address the challenges that we are currently facing. Your feedback will help inform a review of ELC service delivery.

If you have any questions about the survey you can email us on insights@stirling.gov.uk