Pre-school education

Entitlement

The annual entitlement to pre-school education is laid down in the ' The Standards in Scotland's Schools Etc Act 2000'. Local authorities are under a duty to secure a pre-school education place for all three and four-year-olds whose parents want one.

Currently, every three and four-year-old in Scotland is entitled to a minimum of 475 hours of pre-school education per year depending on when a child turns three. For more information on the exact level of entitlement for your child please contact your local authority.

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Curriculum for Excellence

The 'Curriculum Framework for Three to Five Year Olds' has now been replaced by 'A Curriculum for Excellence' as the main guidance for providers about the delivery of pre-school education. As a result there is now a single curriculum for ages 3 to 18. An integral component of Curriculum for Excellence is improving the transition from pre-school to primary through the use of more active learning in Primary 1. The early level of Curriculum for Excellence encompasses both pre-school and Primary 1.

'Building the Curriculum 2', published in 2007, provides guidance on how to ensure that all children in pre-school and primary school settings experience stimulating, effective learning in ways that are appropriate to their needs to enable children and young people to develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

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Inspection and Regulation

All pre-school centres and primary schools are encouraged to arrange regular staff training and to keep under review how they work with children. Staff participate in regular professional development activities to ensure all children are provided with high quality learning experiences.

The Care Inspectorate regulates all pre-school settings and inspects the quality of care in these. Where the pre-school setting belongs to, or is in partnership with the local authority, Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate inspect jointly.

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Gaelic Medium Early Years Provision

In June 2010 the Scottish Government published a Review of Gaelic Medium Early Education and Childcare. The full report can be found via the following link and is available in both English and Gaelic:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/06/22090128/0

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Guidance on pre-school teacher deployment

In May 2009 the Scottish Government published online guidance on the deployment of pre-school teachers. This can be found via the following link:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/05/teacherdeployment

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