Time to end childcare postcode lottery
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP has urged the Scottish Government to finally end the childcare postcode lottery that forces many parents to wait months after their child turns three before they can access their entitled funded childcare.
According to media reports, ministers are now considering ending this unfair policy in this week’s budget.
The Scottish Greens have repeatedly called for an end to this unfair policy, raising concerns that inconsistent application by local authorities is leaving families facing thousands of pounds in hidden childcare costs, adding to the cost-of-living crisis.
Although the childcare entitlement is age-based, many councils apply it from the start of a school term rather than from a child’s third birthday. In practice, this can mean parents of a child born in March waiting 22 weeks to access their entitlement of 1,140 funded hours, in August.
The Scottish Greens have consistently argued that this does not require a new entitlement, but clear national guidance and proper funding so councils deliver childcare in line with the policy’s original intent.
Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“All over our country there are families being forced to wait months after their child turns three to access funded childcare. It is one of the clearest examples of a postcode lottery in Scotland.
“It is an issue we have raised repeatedly, yet parents are still being left to cover thousands of pounds in extra charges simply because of when their child was born or where they live.
“I hope that reports are true and that it will be in this week’s budget so that we can finally end the unfairness and start to fix childcare.
“This week’s budget is an opportunity to deliver a change that the Scottish Greens have been calling for, that funded childcare should begin from the Monday after a child turns three.
“This budget can be a turning point by delivering the clarity and funding that local councils need to finally end this postcode lottery.”
Gillian added:
“Childcare is one of the most important investments we can make.
“Looking ahead, we need to see more free hours and support for parents with more breakfast clubs and wraparound care.”