Welcome for Angus early learning payments

The number of children benefitting from free early learning and childcare i n Angus, provided by the Scottish Government, stands at 1798, saving the average family £5000 per eligible child on childcare costs.

Among the children who are eligible, 121 eligible two-year-olds and 1485 three-year-olds in Angus are taking up the 1140 hours on offer.

Across Scotland, 83,237 children aged between two and five were accessing the full 1140 hours of ELC for free.

Figures also show the number of children accessing free ELC has increased by 3% on the previous year.

Mr Dey said: “Scotland is the only part of the UK to offer 1140 hours of free childcare to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.

“This has saved families in Angus £5000 per eligible child, which is a significant saving at a time when costs are skyrocketing as a result of the Tory-made cost of living crisis.

“Childcare also benefits children too by enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills, they need to prepare them for school.

“The Scottish Government continues to provide support for families in Angus and across Scotland with measures like this and other support like the Scottish Child Payment, which will be extended to all eligible under-16s by the end of the year.

“However, it continues to do so with one hand tied behind its back by a Westminster government that has slashed support for families and has caused the biggest squeeze on household budgets in decades.”

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey also said that high quality ELC also benefits children, by enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills, they need to prepare them for school.

She added: “We intend to expand our childcare offer even further, including building a future system of school age childcare and a new early learning and childcare offer for one and two-year-olds, starting with those who need it most.”