Local MSP, Keith Brown, has welcomed the recent announcement by the Scottish Government to double childcare spending to £840 million a year by 2021-22 in a bid to transform the life chances of children in Scotland.
In total, this investment means a near doubling of free childcare entitlement to 1140 hours – around 30 hours a week - from August 2020. As a result, parents and carers of three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-old will save an expected £350 per child, per month.
Keith Brown said: “This is welcome news which will transform the lives of young people and their families in Clackmannanshire.
“As it currently stands, eligible children only receive 16 hours of free childcare which while greatly assists many parents and carers, it can still see them struggle to find and fund the childcare they need to allow them to work.
“This announced expansion of child care to 30 hours by 2020 will give parents and carers the opportunity to find work and will save families around £350 per child per month on the costs of childcare.
“The Scottish Government’s decision to provide the kind of real, practical help that parents need comes on the back of the recently launched baby box and the decision to remove nursery premises from business rates. This is further proof of the SNP’s commitment to younger people in Clackmannanshire.”