Aberdeen childcare provision to be extended from August

Aberdeen City Council has approved a date for the reinstatement of extended early learning and childcare (ELC) hours for pre-school children.

The Education Operational Delivery Committee agreed a date of August 2021 for the reinstatement of the statutory provision of extended hours from 600 to 1,140 hours per child per annum.

In March 2020, and a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government remove the duty on local authorities make available the extended hours to eligible two-year-olds and all three and four-year-olds.  

However, work has also resumed on the council’s £23 million building programme which will see 27 new or upgraded local authority nurseries across the city to cater for the enhanced provision. This includes two new innovative outdoor learning settings at Hazlehead Park and Duthie Park.

Councillor John Wheeler, committee convener, said: "I am delighted that we have agreed a date for the reinstatement of extended ELC hours in Aberdeen. I am sure that parents and carers of young children across the city will share this sentiment. They will be able to apply online for places for their children as of next week.

"I would like to thank our officers for their hard work behind the scenes in helping us get to this stage. As our massive investment in infrastructure shows, we have remained committed, despite the pandemic, to delivering first class early learning and childcare in Aberdeen once safe to do so."

Parents can apply for a council-run nursery place until January 25.