8,000 two-year-olds from the poorest backgrounds missing out on their free nursery place

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP today said the Scottish Government is letting down the poorest children after publishing new analysis showing more than half of two-year-olds eligible for funded early learning and childcare (ELC) aren’t taking up their place.

Two-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds have been entitled to free early learning and childcare since 2015, after Scottish Liberal Democrat campaigning convinced SNP ministers of its potential to improve early development and attainment.

Scottish Liberal Democrat analysis now shows that just 6,599 (45.5%) were taking up the offer as of September 2023. Uptake has increased by just 411 toddlers in the last year. At that rate of progress it will take another 13 years to catch up with uptake recorded by the leading region in England.

It has taken the Scottish Government years to even start negotiations with the UK Government's Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to secure access to the list of eligible children. As a result thousands of two-year-olds have missed out.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are now calling on the government to:

• Use the DWP lists to ensure all eligible children get the access they deserve.

• Launch a new public information campaign to get parents signed up.

• Make ELC flexible to families’ needs.

• Introduce a new Nursery Premium to give extra support to every child from a deprived background.

Commenting on the figures, Mr Rennie said:

“Two-year-olds from poorer backgrounds are entitled to free early learning and childcare, thanks to the campaigning of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, but the Scottish Government is still mishandling the rollout. Scotland is years behind England in the uptake of this offer.

“The SNP took years to even start negotiations with the DWP to access the lists of eligible children. As a result thousands and thousands of two-year-olds will miss out on that important early year of education forever.

“They now need to make up for lost time and fully utilise the list of eligible children to get them signed up.

“The Scottish Government is not doing enough to publicise that this support is available or ensure that parents can access the flexible hours they need. If it doesn’t fit around work, then they can’t take up the offer. The result is 8,000 families and children missing out on support in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“Expanding free childcare is a win-win. It’s good for families, good for children and good for the economy.

“The SNP need to refocus their efforts and get this policy back on track. The attainment gap is as wide as ever and Scotland has just recorded its worst ever performance in the international education rankings. There is no time to lose when it comes to ensuring children get the best start in life.”