Childcare Provision ‘Often Inconsistent And Inflexible’

Childcare provision for the under-threes in Aberdeenshire is often inconsistent and inflexible, a new report has revealed.

A major review of education and social services for toddlers has uncovered a lack of coherent management across the area.

Teachers, parents and education professionals were among the members of a strategy group established after Aberdeenshire Council commissioned a review of early-years services in September 2007.

A report to go before the social work and housing committee on Thursday has made more than 30 recommendations for improvement.

Councillors are asked to approve the recommendations, which will be used to create a new council policy to operate alongside a recent national early-years framework from the Scottish Government.

Early-years services includes nursery classes, playgroups, family centres and outreach support.

A lack of services in some areas of Aberdeenshire leaves some children without support, whereas other areas are overstaffed and receive a disproportionate level of funding, the internal study found.

The sporadic allocation of funds is the result of localised budgeting and the report recommends a more centralised system is put in place.

Childminders are “unevenly spread”, often living in more populated centres, leaving rural areas without provision.

Parents who took part in the review were concerned about a lack of facilities for young children who need additional support.

The review also identified a gap between spending and the need to respond to the most disadvantaged people in Aberdeenshire.

Consultations with staff who provide the services found that they were not always fully aware of the needs of the young children in their care or of their parents.

A number of strengths were also identified by the study, including a commitment to building partnerships with other agencies and a “strong belief” in the importance of early-years services.

A “diverse range of skills” displayed by the early-years workers in Aberdeenshire was also praised.

Councillors are being asked to approve the recommendations and authorise the early-years service to consult with area committees on the draft policy.