A Blueprint for 2020: Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland Consultation

Summary of Questions

Question 1: How do we ensure children are fully supported at the transition stages throughout their early-learner journey? What support should be provided to ensure that the ELC workforce and teachers have the skills, knowledge and capacity to support transitions?

Question 2: What support is required to ensure that the ELC workforce have the skills, knowledge and capacity to deliver high quality provision for two year olds? How can the ELC sector best meet the specific learning, developmental and environmental needs of two year olds? What approach should be taken on the transition for these children when they turn three?

Question 3: How can the qualification routes and career paths that are open to early learning and childcare practitioners be developed to ensure that the ELC sector is seen as an attractive long-term career route?

Question 4: How can we increase the diversity of the ELC workforce, in particular increasing the gender balance in the sector?

Question 5: How can payment of the Living Wage and wider Fair Work practices be encouraged across the ELC sector?

Question 6: What actions should be taken to support increased access to outdoor learning, exercise and play?

Question 7: How could accountability arrangements for early learning and childcare be improved?

Question 8: What factors must be considered in delivering flexible ELC provision, while continuing to ensure a high quality service? To what extent could funded ELC support parents and carers with non-standard working hours, such as working shifts and weekends?

Question 9: How can we ensure fair and sustainable funding for all providers offering the ELC entitlement?

Question 10: What more can we do to promote and support the involvement of childminders in the entitlement to ELC? What are the barriers, if any, to becoming a childminder? How can we ensure quality while preserving the unique value of home-based care?

Question 11: How do we ensure that the voice of children and their families is heard as we plan this expansion?

Question 12: How can we ensure equality of access for all children? What barriers do children with disabilities and additional support needs currently face in accessing early learning and childcare? What further action is required to address these barriers?

Question 13: How can we support higher take-up rates amongst eligible two year olds, and other groups less likely to access entitlement?

Question 14: How can more social enterprises, and third sector providers, be encouraged to enter the early learning and childcare sector?

Question 15: How can the governance arrangements support more community-led ELC provision particularly in remote and rural areas?

Question 16: How can the broader system for promoting, accessing, and registering for a place in an ELC setting be improved? Please give examples of any innovative and accessible systems currently in place?

Question 17: Do parents and carers face any barriers in accessing support with the costs of ELC provision (beyond the funded entitlement)? What more can we do to ensure additional hours are affordable?

Question 18: How can ELC providers, particularly private and third sector providers, be encouraged to extend capacity?

Question 19: What funding model would best support our vision for high quality and flexible ELC provision, which is accessible and affordable for all?

Question 20: If it were possible for aspects of the entitlement to be phased in ahead the full roll out by 2020, how should this be implemented?