More still needs to be done for vulnerable two year-olds

The Scottish Government has announced an extra £1.5million to expand childcare for vulnerable two-year-olds.

The move came just hours before a meeting today between Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and First Minister Alex Salmond on the issue.

Ruth Davidson said:

"Three weeks ago I pressed the First Minister to offer Scottish parents the same guaranteed level of childcare that is available south of the border. I'm pleased that he has taken on board my concerns to increase the level of childcare, but this is only a small step in the right direction and even more needs to be done for vulnerable two-year-olds.

"In England, more than a quarter of a million children of this age from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are given free nursery care. This can have such a huge impact on their future prospects and Scotland should not settle for second best.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the First Minister and the Scottish Government on this issue in the New Year."

Today's announcement could help around 2,000 two-year-olds.

There are 15,892 'looked after children' in Scotland, of which 37 per cent are aged under five years.

"Looked After Children are those who are 'looked after' in terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (the 1995 Act). They are either living at home under a supervision requirement issued by a Children's Hearing or placed by the local authority in kinship care, foster or residential care. The term also includes children on various warrants and orders such as child protection orders.'

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_EducationandCultureCommittee/Inquiries/SB_11-79.pdf

SPICe briefing on Looked After Children

Chancellor George Osborne announced in his Autumn statement on November 29 that there would 260,000 places for children from the most deprived homes in England - up from the 140,000 places proposed earlier that month.

In response, children's charities pointed out at the time that the extension of free childcare would not apply in Scotland.

Sarah Burton, from Children in Scotland, told the Scotland on Sunday on December 4 that "The Chancellor's announcement shows the UK Government is beginning to understand the importance of investing in children's early years, but it won't help Scottish families."

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