This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Extra help for family support programmes
16/09/2002
An expansion in support for vulnerable and deprived
families with young children demonstrates long-term
commitment to closing the opportunity gap, Education
and Young People Minister Cathy Jamieson said today.
The Executive's Spending Review will means increased
funding over the next three years for Sure Start
Scotland to £31 million, and for the Childcare Strategy to
£23.9 million.
The total amount of extra funding will be £54.9 million
by 2006. Ms Jamieson said her priority now was to
concentrate on what that level of funding could
deliver.
Speaking at the launch of Whitehill Parent and Child
Centre in Hamilton - Scotland's first health promoting
nursery - she said:
"We want all children and young people to get the best
possible start in life and to realise their potential in
later years. It is also vital that families, especially
those facing difficult circumstances, get the support they
need - from help with childcare to training and employment
access.
"That is why the Executive's spending plans for the next
three years include significant additional resources for
two key programmes targeted at these areas - £31 million
for Sure Start Scotland and £23.9 million for the Childcare
Strategy.
"But we should recognise that figures alone do not
improve people's lives - we must focus on what this money
can deliver in the weeks, months and years ahead.
"We have a new target - to ensure that at least 15,000
vulnerable children under five have an integrated package
of health, care and education support which meets their
needs by 2006.
"Additional funding for early years, as well as other
measures announced in the Spending Review, will help us to
meet this target and ensure we better meet the needs of
Scotland's children."
Speaking about her visit to Whitehill, Ms Jamieson
continued:
"I've been very impressed by the facilities at Whitehill
and by the highly successful approach they are taking. They
are the first nursery in Scotland to become a health
promoting nursery, tackling issues such as healthy diet,
exercise and dental care as part of their work. And the
services are not just there for children, but for parents
and staff too.
"The centre is a prime example of the kind of high
quality services which can be delivered through innovative
partnership working and the efforts of a dedicated and
skilled workforce."
Sure Start Scotland, which started in 1999, is aimed at
providing targeted support to families with very young
children (0-3 years) with a focus on the most vulnerable
and deprived families. Examples of services funded through
Sure Start are: parental support; outreach services;
childcare, including nurseries and playgroups;
childminding; support for children with special needs;
projects for the most marginalised, such as families
affected by drugs misuse.
A Childcare Strategy for Scotland (1998) aims to ensure
good quality affordable childcare for all 0-14 year olds
by: raising quality standards; supporting parents'
purchasing power; expanding childcare places and improving
information. All 3 and 4 year olds in Scotland now have
access to a free pre-school education place, where their
parents want one. The latest figures show that 96% of 4
year olds and 85% of 3 year olds are in nursery
education.
The Whitehill Parent and Child Centre is funded by NHS
Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire Council, and
Blantyre/Hamilton Social Inclusion Partnership. The health
promoting nursery provides training and education for
children, staff and parents on healthy eating. Children
take part in regular outdoor exercise activities and have
access to free milk, chilled drinking water, and free
toothbrushes and paste.