A blueprint for 2020: the expansion of early learning and childcare (ELC) in Scotland - ELC expansion planning guidance for local authorities

Section Three: Planning Assumptions

ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE PLANNING EXERCISE INCLUDE:

1. Putting in place the extended ELC entitlement has the potential to transform the lives of children and families but will require significant SERVICE REDESIGN across the ELC sector - across public, private and third sector providers.

2. REVENUE AND CAPITAL funding will be made available to local authorities in line with phased plans to support cross-sectoral ELC CHANGE and EXPANSION from 2017-18 onwards, with a view to ensuring a smooth transition to Funding Follows the Child from August 2020. The Scottish Government will work with authorities to provide greater certainty over financial assumptions over the planning period.

3. Quality of the experience for children will be dependent upon a suitably SKILLED AND QUALIFIED WORKFORCE that focuses on leadership, valuing and developing the existing workforce, and recruiting and training a high-performing additional workforce. Local authorities will be supported by a national marketing campaign and the ELC Skills Investment Plan.

4. Growth in services must be suitably PHASED over the planning period ( i.e. to 2020) in order to help manage community engagement, service development and wider change across the sector. Funding will be provided to support phasing.

5. Making best use of assets - effective expansion plans will take account of a sequential decision-making process as follows:

a. Use what we have: Making full use of existing assets within the local authority (including, workforce, potential of the natural environment, buildings and infrastructure);

b. Use what we purchase: Enhancing the use of partner assets- developing and extending existing partnership models against a default assumption of a continued mixed economy - strengthening both local authority and other provision (including, for example, childminders and blended models);

c. Create what we need - where full use of existing local authority services and assets, plus enhanced commissioning, still leaves a gap, plan to create or build new capacity, including outdoor nurseries.