Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland is changing

Why aren’t funded hours increasing to 1140 as planned?

The ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic means that unfortunately the full increase of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to 1140 hours a year won’t be available in August 2020. This is because local authorities have been busy meeting the critical childcare needs of keyworkers, and because other things like recruitment and building projects won’t be able to go ahead at the moment.

The full increase to 1140 hours will still take place, but at a later date.

We know that most local authorities already had capacity to deliver increased hours for some of their children. It might be that some local authorities are able to offer some extra hours, depending on the impact of any measures they are putting in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

When will funded hours be increasing to 1140?

We can’t yet say when the hours will be increasing, but it won’t be this academic year (August 2020-June 2021). The Scottish Government and local authorities will be working closely to understand the impact of COVID-19 and work out when they can implement the expanded hours.

In the meantime, local authorities will be working out what they are able to offer and sharing updated plans with parents as soon as possible.

Will my setting still offer 1140 hours?

It’s likely that local authorities will be able to offer some expanded places when ELC settings reopen fully. It is too early to say where these places will be. Local authorities will be sharing this information as soon as possible.

My child received a 1140 place last year – will they still get it next year?

It’s likely that local authorities will be able to offer some expanded places when ELC settings reopen fully. But it’s too early to say where these places will be or how they will be allocated. Local authorities will be sharing this information as soon as possible.