Childcare report must be “a kick up the behind” for the government

Commenting on Audit Scotland’s embargoed report into the rollout of childcare which warns that the sector is fragile, Willie Rennie MSP said:

“This is the second report from Audit Scotland that has warned about the exodus of experienced staff from private and third sector nurseries.

“The lack of any real progress on establishing the scale of the problem shows a lack of understanding and urgency of the implications if this is ignored.  

“We need the private and voluntary nurseries to deliver the 1140 hours especially as they provide the flexibility that council nurseries often can’t.  

“The First Minister promised he would tackle the dramatic difference in fee rates between councils and the PVI nurseries but so far there has been no indication as to how he will fix this. This report should be a kick up the behind for the government.”