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More childcare staff
than ever before are now working in Scotland.
 Allan
Wilson MSP has welcomed new figures showing that more childcare staff than
ever before are now working in Scotland. There are now 28,150 pre-school and
childcare workers in Scotland, a rise of more than 1,400 from last year.
Around £70million is being invested in the Scottish Executive’s Childcare
Strategy between 2004 and 2006, which aims to help provide affordable and
accessible childcare. The Executive is also committed to provide nearly
£25million to provide staff with better training and access to
qualifications. The new figures also show a 7% rise in staff holding
qualifications, with 74% of all childcare staff in Scotland now holding
formal qualifications.
Enterprise Minister and local constituency MSP Allan Wilson said:
“In the first term of the Scottish Parliament the Labour-led Executive
invested heavily in pre-school and early years’ education because we
consider it vitally important for the future viability of our country’s
economy.”
“The Sure Start Scotland programme targeting very young children was put in
place and the Executive also ensured that all 3 and 4 year olds have access
to a free nursery place.”
“Development of pre-school childcare has been one of the great successes of
the early years of devolution and we now have a workforce that is bigger,
better rewarded and more qualified than ever providing a greatly expanded
service.”
“Labour has long understood the benefits to both parents and children of
providing affordable and accessible childcare. Giving young children the
best start possible can open up opportunities and improve their life
chances. I am delighted that through continued investment we are improving
local services and now have more childcare workers in North Ayrshire than
ever before.”
“It is essential from an economic development perspective that parents have
access to good quality and affordable childcare where their children can
flourish. This not only helps a child’s development - improving their
learning and social skills - but provides the support parents need to return
to work, helping grow the economy and creating future economic opportunity
for their children in the process” said Mr Wilson.
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