Childcare “virtual vouchers” called for

Parents should be given more flexibility in their hours of free childcare, a leading think-tank has said.

Non-party organisation Reform Scotland has called for the introduction of a “virtual voucher” to give parents the flexibility to access their full entitlement, currently 600 hours of funded nursery provision for all three and four year-olds.

As it stands many parents cannot find suitable places at council nurseries, and some councils limit funded places at private nurseries.

FURTHER READING:

Flexible families - Does childcare expansion tackle inequality or make it worse?

School closures to be reviewed independently

Research director Alison Payne said: "This is not about the private sector versus the public sector, but acknowledging that most council nurseries do not provide the full-time care that working parents need, and therefore, for all children to be guaranteed to receive government-funded nursery provision, the money must follow the child.

 "We have a simple suggestion - if an independent nursery meets the Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate standards, parents should by right be able to take their full government-funded entitlement there as a 'virtual voucher'.”

A spokeswoman for independent, parent-led campaign group Fair Funding For Our Kids, set up to ensure every child gets their free legal entitlement, said the group was “not yet convinced” about virtual vouchers.

However, “many of the proposals from Reform Scotland are practical and could make a difference almost immediately. We hope Angela Constance will give them serious consideration,” she added.

The idea was endorsed by the Scottish Conservatives. Education spokeswoman Liz Smith said “It is abundantly clear that many state funded nurseries are not able to provide parents with sufficient flexibility when it comes to nursery place provision.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said the existing scheme will become more flexible as parent groups consult with local authorities.