Early Adopter Communities: Process Evaluation – Research Findings
This report presents the summary findings of an early process evaluation of the school age childcare Early Adopter Communities. It aims to identify what has worked well or less well during early set-up and implementation, to inform ongoing design and delivery.
Context and background
In October 2022, four Early Adopter Communities (EACs) were established in local areas within Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Glasgow and Inverclyde. They provide an opportunity to test and refine what an effective school age childcare system looks like at the community level, with a focus on supporting families on low incomes.
The EACs were created as part of the Scottish Government’s School Age Childcare Transformational Change Programme, which aims to design and build a national system of school age childcare. School age childcare takes various forms, such as breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs or childminders. It can be delivered by regulated providers or as organised activities (e.g. sports clubs).
The EACs were supported by around £3.5 million in Scottish Government funding up to March 2024, to deliver subsidised childcare and family support in specific local areas. This was split over two phases. They have recently received multi-year funding agreements, committing £8 million per year – £16 million total – to support delivery until at least the end of this parliamentary term, in March 2026.
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot
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