SCHOOL'S OUT: Framework for the Development of Out-of-School Care
Section 3
Resources for Childcare
In 2002-2003 the resources for the childcare strategy are 16.75 million. This forms part of the overall Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) given to local authorities. An extra 3.6 million is used to develop the workforce through a central Executive grant. We give this to local authorities when we receive proposals for developing the workforce.
The First Minister's latest budget decisions have made extra resources available for the childcare strategy and Sure Start Scotland. The table below sets out the funding position for the childcare strategy and for Sure Start Scotland.
| 2003-2004 | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 |
childcare strategy | 19.25 million | 29.75 million | 40.65 million |
workforce development | 3.6 million | 6 million | 6 million |
Sure Start Scotland | 23.1 million | 35 million | 50 million |
The childcare strategy aims to make affordable, accessible, good-quality childcare available in every neighbourhood. The Sure Start Scotland programme targets support for families with very young children. Support is mainly focused on vulnerable and deprived children and families by providing a range of joined-up services.
Colin MacLean, Head of the Children and Young People's Group in the Scottish Executive, wrote to local authority Chief Executives on 17 January 2003. Copies were sent to childcare partnerships and others. This letter was headed 'Distribution of funding for children's services: outcome of the Scottish budget, 2003-2006.' It tells local authorities about Ministers' decisions on allocations for children's services. Under the heading of 'childcare strategy' in Annex B, the development of good-quality, sustainable and accessible OSC is a main priority. The extra resources available to local authorities for the childcare strategy should allow them to make considerable progress in achieving this aim. The resources should also help progress two other main areas listed in the priorities for action (in the conclusion to this document). These areas are services for older children and young people and access by children in need or with additional support needs.
The Minister for Social Justice is also making available 10 million each year from 2004-2005 onwards. This will add to our mainstream childcare strategy by supporting childcare that breaks down some of the barriers that prevent people in the most disadvantaged areas and groups from taking up or keeping employment or training.
We will plan the use of this social justice funding jointly with childcare partnerships. We will monitor outcomes, including the effect of childcare services on key social justice indicators.