RESPONDING TO THE CHILDCARE CHALLENGE
A summary of responses to the green paper "MEETING THE CHILDCARE CHALLENGE: A CHILDCARE STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND"
		Publisher The Scottish Office

Introduction

The Green Paper Meeting the Childcare Challenge: A Childcare Strategy for Scotland was published in May 1998. It set out the Government’s key aim of ensuring good quality, affordable childcare for children aged 0 - 14 years in every neighbourhood. There was an enthusiastic response to the Scottish Childcare Strategy, with the Government’s proposals being generally welcomed.

This paper, which is being sent to all those who responded to the Green Paper, Meeting the Childcare Challenge - A Childcare Strategy for Scotland and other interested parties aims:

to give respondents and others a sense of the overall response to the Green Paper; to let them know how we have taken forward the childcare strategy since then in the light of their responses; and to let them know what more we intend to do, again taking their responses into account.

Fully to implement the childcare strategy will be a matter of years. But already in a relatively few months, through the actions of local authorities, local enterprise companies, childcare providers and others, we have made a flying start to meeting the childcare challenge.

Overview

Set out below are some of the key messages that emerged from the consultation process.

All respondents to the consultation document gave an enthusiastic welcome to the Strategy, which many considered was long overdue. There was support for the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, including the childcare tax credit. This would greatly improve the affordability of good quality childcare for working families. However some other types of family were mentioned as meriting help with childcare costs. Respondents supported the proposal to provide information services, both nationally and locally, which would meet specified minimum standards. However there were mixed views on the different types of information each service should provide. Many respondents thought that the Government should conduct a publicity campaign to publicise to employers the benefits of family-friendly employment practices. Some general concerns were also raised: The Strategy should be firmly linked with other Government policies concerned with children. Only in this way could we produce an integrated approach to all children’s needs. The timescale to set up Local Childcare Partnerships was tight. The Government should provide clear aims and objectives for the Partnerships to follow. The Strategy needed to look further at the needs of children from rural areas, those from ethnic minorities, those with special needs or those identified as in need through homelessness or other measures. The Green Paper appeared to emphasise the link between childcare and work and more than the needs of the child. There should be clear recognition for parents who stay at home to look after their children. In the light of points made in responses to the Green Paper, The Scottish Office has: Published a consultation paper on regulation of early education and childcare in Scotland. allocated £91 million extra over the 3 years 1999-2002 to develop and support childcare. issued guidance on childcare partnerships and planning.

Action taken is set out against consultation points.

The Green Paper contained thirteen consultation points on which we asked consultees to give their views and suggestions.

Raising the Quality of care

Consultation Point 1 - Should there be a single national recognition scheme for childcare arrangements that meet certain specific standards?

All agreed that there should be a single scheme. Specific standards were essential to: strengthen the professional standing of childcare; ensure peace of mind for parents; and harmonise current inconsistencies in the regulation of childcare and early years education. Any standards set should be universal. Standards should be enforced and failure to meet should result in the provider’s registration being withdrawn.

Consultation Point 2 — Has this chapter covered all the main ways in which the supply and recruitment of childcare workers be increased?

Respondents thought problems of low pay, lack of career progression and gaps in training and qualifications needed to be addressed.

Ways to improve recruitment included:

terms and conditions of employment which include sick and holiday pay; a guaranteed working week; the development of a clear career structure; flexible training arrangements, including distance learning packages; and salaries commensurate with the complexity and level of qualification required by the job.

The lack of men in childcare was a particular concern. That could only be overcome by a shift in public attitudes.

Consultation Point 3 - What action is needed to gain acceptance and use of a coherent training and qualifications structure?

All agreed that a coherent training and qualification structure is essential. The suggested "climbing frame" approach would ensure the interconnection of training routes and allow clear opportunities for worker development and progression. There was also support for qualifications that recognise the development of increased skills and further career advancement, including accreditation for prior learning, both formal and practical

Consultation Point 4 - How Can We Assist In Strengthening The Quality Of Care provided through the informal sector?

Parents and carers needed to be aware of their individual responsibilities. Informal childcare is of particular importance in rural areas, to give families access to the range of support services available. Parent and toddler groups and community playgroups are a resource for strengthening informal care. Other existing resources, such as health visitors, should be used to promote both training and networking opportunities for carers.

Raising the Quality of Care: Scottish Office Response

The Scottish Office will be taking a number of actions to raise the quality of care.

We have published a consultation paper on Regulation of Early Education and Childcare in Scotland. Overall objectives are the safety of the child, a stimulating environment for children and that provision of a similar type — whether public, private or voluntary — should be subject to the same standards.

A self-evaluation guide for early years centres will be issued later this year and an early years best practice initiative is being put in place.

We are also addressing the training, qualifications and careers structure for childcare workers. Introduction of the minimum wage will help the more poorly paid childcare workers (other than those who are self-employed). We do not believe there is the same proliferation of qualifications being offered as in England. But it is clear that the present situation is not well understood, that there are some gaps in qualifications and that clearer progressions routes may be desirable. We are working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, relevant National Training Organisations and others to achieve a better understood, appropriate and flexible structure. As a first step an information leaflet on the current training and qualifications picture is being prepared.

Making Childcare More Affordable

Consultation Point 5 - Are there groups of families other than those described in this chapter who merit help with childcare costs?

All welcomed the childcare tax credit within the Working Families Tax Credit. Some described it as the single most important step to achieving major improvements in childcare.

Other groups who might need financial assistance included:

unemployed parents who may need help at short notice to attend interviews; parents who require respite care for children with special needs; school aged mothers whose parents pay childcare fees; parents who are unable to work or train through ill health or disability; parents with mental health problems and learning difficulties; travelling families, seasonal workers and homeless people.

Making Childcare More Affordable: Scottish Office Response

Through the childcare element of the Working Families Tax Credit some £25-30 million annually will go towards childcare in Scotland. Families where both partners (or a lone parent) work more than 16 hours a week will be eligible for the childcare credit. There will be assistance of 70% of the costs of eligible childcare for up to a maximum of £100 (£70 subsidy) for families with one child or £150 (£105 subsidy) for families with 2 or more children. Maximum help will be available to families with an income of around up to £17,000 but some assistance will still be available up to around £30,000.

Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Scottish Office has allocated £91 million extra over the 3 years 1999-2002 to develop and support childcare in Scotland. £49m will be available both to develop the infrastructure for childcare and to support key childcare projects and places that would otherwise not be self-sustaining. £42 million will be devoted to an initiative to support families with very young children, principally aged 0-3. This will be targeted to areas of greatest need.

Making Childcare More Accessible

Consultation Point 6 - Are there types of Childcare or Localities or Age Groups of Children that require attention under the Strategy?

Among suggestions were:

families living in rural locations who experience transport difficulties; children with special needs; children of shift workers.

Consultation Point 7 - How should good quality childcare information services be funded and managed?

To install and maintain comprehensive services, which could be regularly updated, would be resource intensive and expensive. Central funding might be supplemented by external funding. The most popular suggestion was a subscription scheme. But some thought that to charge providers would result in an incomplete service. Charges for parental access might also deter families on low income.

Consultation Point 8 - What areas should be covered by the proposed minimum standards for childcare information services?

The areas identified in the Green Paper as minimum standards would provide core information to be held by information services. These should be accessible through a number of media. Information should be provided in a standard format to allow direct comparisons between services and/or providers.

Consultation Point 9 - What childcare information is best offered at a national level?

Among suggestions were:

information for parents on the types of existing childcare, including definitions and explanations of different terms; guidance for parents on the Working Families Tax Credit and other benefits; information on qualifications and training.

Making Childcare for Accessible: Scottish Office Response

The Guidance on the Establishment of Childcare Partnerships and the Planning of Childcare and Pre-School Education, published in October 1998, covered in some detail the establishment of childcare information services and the standards that they should meet. The guidance given reflected the responses received on this topic. It also emphasised that in planning for the development of childcare, local childcare partnerships should consult widely and take full account of the needs of all parents and children in their areas.

Funding has been made available to local authorities this year to meet the costs of developing local information services. Funding is also being allocated for subsequent years. It is not expected that parents should pay for information. The Scottish Office is also setting up arrangements to spread good practice in information services and to make available suitable software to support database development. A national helpline will be launched this year.

Delivering the Strategy

Consultation Point 10 - How can the effectiveness of childcare partnerships at local level be maximised?

To be effective the partnerships required strong working relationships, free of mistrust and rivalries. Some respondents felt that Central Government should make partnerships a legal requirement to dispel the distrust of the voluntary and private sectors

There was a general consensus that local authorities should have a key role to play in ensuring that recommendations made by Partnerships operate effectively. The Scottish Office should issue guidelines to partnerships covering the remit, responsibilities and role of partnerships. Action taken should be monitored and reviewed regularly.

Consultation Point 11 - Does the Green Paper set out correctly what should be done to improve national and local data on childcare?

Most responses agreed that the suggestions made within the body of chapter 5 of the consultation document would improve national and local data on childcare. All responses favoured a standardised approach to the recording and collection of information.

Consultation Point 12 - Have the tasks to be carried out at a local level been identified correctly?

There was general agreement with the proposals in the Green Paper. Some responses expressed concern at the proposed time scale.

Consultation Point 13 - What are the barriers to employers, including small and medium sized companies, developing family friendly employment practices, including help with childcare, and how can employers be encouraged to recognise the benefits?

Encouraging employers to participate in childcare partnerships and to develop family friendly policies was seen as a major task both locally and nationally. Some employers, particularly small and medium sized business, work to small profit margins. These employers needed encouragement that highlighted the potential benefits of childcare in reducing staff turnover and absenteeism (particularly in school holidays).

Delivering the Strategy: Scottish Office Response

As noted, guidance has been issued which deals with the establishment of Childcare Partnerships. It is not prescriptive, allowing local childcare partnerships discretion on how best to meet the needs of their areas. Funding has been allocated to local authorities to support the establishment and working of Childcare Partnerships and employ development workers to support childcare providers.

Implementation of the EC Directives on Parental Leave and Part-Time working will help to encourage the development of family friendly policies. The Scottish Office has also, through Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, made extra funding available to Fair Play in Scotland, an organisation which encourages employers to develop family friendly approaches to work. The guidance on local childcare partnerships emphasises that they should include employers and local enterprise companies.

Conclusion

This document has sought:

to give respondents and others a sense of the overall response to the Green Paper; to let them know how we have taken forward the childcare strategy since then in the light of their responses; and to let them know what more we intend to do, again taking into account their responses.

The Government welcomes the overwhelming enthusiasm for the Green Paper. Inevitably, in a field that has been neglected by Government in the past, respondents have pointed to a number of areas requiring further attention. We hope to have demonstrated what we are doing, and indicated what we intend to do, to address some of the problems identified. We recognise that success will depend upon the willing co-operation of respondents and other interested parties. We are confident that with the same positive response that the Green Paper itself received, we can meet, together, the childcare challenge.

THE SCOTTISH OFFICE Childcare Strategy Division Education and Industry Department March 1999 Contact Telephone No: 0131 244 0209

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