This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Free nursery places for two year olds
06/07/2006
The future for two-year-olds in Dundee, Glasgow and North Ayrshire is looking brighter thanks to a £2 million project to give them access to nurseries one year early.
The pilot scheme will make over 900 extra nursery places available to children of families who need additional help and support.
Free part-time nursery places are currently available to children aged between three and five but this project will benefit hundreds more.
Speaking at the launch at the Bridgeton Family Learning Centre in Glasgow this morning, Minister for Parliamentary Business Margaret Curran said:
"Nursery provision gives children a great start in life.
"We know that it helps prepare children for the challenges of their future, both in education and life. Sadly, some children face more challenges than others.
"We owe it to them to ensure that they have every opportunity to fulfil their potential. Getting extra support to children and families, when the children are very young, can help them to do just that.
"By targeting this support to those who would benefit most we can clearly see the difference an early start at nursery makes to their lives, now and in the future."
Radio Clyde's Cash for Kids charity is providing £200,000 towards the Glasgow project - the biggest ever single grant in its history.
Sir John Orr chair of the Cash for Kids Trust said:
"Cash for Kids are delighted to work with the Scottish Executive and Glasgow City Council on this new initiative to help two-year-olds in the city.
"The £200,000 over two years from Radio Clyde's Cash for Kids appeal will provide a crucial community outreach element to the project.
"It will ensure that the most vulnerable children and their families are supported and that the children benefit educationally and socially from the extended provision in the city council's nurseries and pre-five centres. Our hope is that this will make a big difference to their start in life and their future life chances."
Margaret Dobie, Head of Pre-5 and Childcare Services at Glasgow City Council said:
"This is a wonderful addition to the pre-5 service in Glasgow and we are delighted with the support from the Scottish Executive and Cash for Kids. I hope that the success of this pilot will see other areas of the city benefit from this valuable initiative."
Dundee and North Ayrshire will both provide 200 targeted places for two-year olds. Glasgow will provide 510 places.
The Executive will provide £0.5 million to Glasgow and £0.25 million to Dundee and North Ayrshire in 2006-07 and again in 2007-08.
Cash for Kids is supporting Glasgow's project and has provided £200,000 of funding. This will finance the appointment of three community outreach workers. They will be a key link working closely with the two year olds, their families and the nurseries and pre-five centres involved in the initiative.