This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Funding for early years training
08/11/2004
Scotland's early years and childcare workforce is set to
receive a £12 million training boost it was announced
today.
With funding from the Scottish Budget, this will help
more staff obtain formal childcare qualifications, meeting
the standards for registration with the Scottish Social
Services Council.
Minister for Education and Young People Peter
Peacock also set a target to increase the number of
qualified childcare staff to 85 per cent of the workforce
by 2009.
Speaking at the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
annual conference in Edinburgh, Mr Peacock said:
"Good quality pre-school education and childcare can
make a key contribution to a child's early development -
particularly for disadvantaged children - by building a
good foundation for future learning. It is vital that all
child carers are equipped to meet children's physical,
educational, social and emotional needs.
"We are investing £12 million over two years to boost
the proportion of formally qualified staff from 66 to 85
per cent by 2009.
"Parents need to know their children are cared for by
professionals. By registering the early years and childcare
workforce with the SSSC, we can strengthen parents'
confidence. They will know staff have proved they have the
skills to ensure children are safe and supported. I want to
move towards the entire workforce either holding a
childcare qualification, or working towards having one.
"We are investing in Scottish people and their skills -
and by investing in early years staff skills we are also
investing in the next generation of Scots."
Local authorities will receive the ring fenced £12
million from the Scottish Budget over 2006-07 and
2007-08.
Councils are expected to use the funding to support
their early years staff and staff working for the voluntary
and private sector.
The registration process will be phased. The SSSC will
announce how it will achieve this in due course.
Link to the latest pre-school and childcare statistics
-
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00346.pdf