We will continue to develop early learning and childcare to provide more opportunities for parents, particularly mothers, to access employment opportunities.
We carried out the Shetland Childcare Consultation in 2021 and it told us that there is a demand for more childminders across Shetland, with a large number of parents/carers stating they would be interested in using a childminder as a source of childcare if this was an option. This was noted in both early learning and childcare and school-aged childcare; however, the demand was more prevalent among early learning and childcare users, where they can use childminders as part of their funded entitlement.
The findings concluded that nearly half of parents/carers with school-aged children face barriers when accessing childcare. Respondents wanted an increase in out-of-school childcare options, particularly in local areas, including more provision before school begins, after school finishes, and during the school holidays.
Following on from the survey, a bid was submitted in May 2022 to the Scottish Government for funding to help with School Aged Childcare in Remote and Rural Areas in Shetland. Although the application was initially unsuccessful, we heard in September 2023 that over £350,000 had been awarded and this will be focused on childcare provision in the North Isles and West Mainland.