Early learning and childcare

Early learning and childcare

We will continue to develop early learning and childcare to provide more opportunities for parents, particularly mothers, to access employment opportunities.

Shetland Islands Council has a statutory responsibility to consult with families on funded early learning and childcare (ELC) provision every two years.  A Shetland-wide survey on childcare services was undertaken at the end of 2021 with results reported early in 2022.  The survey explored the views of parents/carers about the current delivery and future of early learning and childcare services, as well as school-aged childcare services. It was the council’s first Shetland-wide survey since the implementation of the early learning and childcare (ELC) expansion. 

The key headlines were:

  • Since the introduction of 1,140 hours of funded ELC, 80.3% of parents/carers in Shetland are happy with their chosen ELC setting. In addition, a further 80% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that their current ELC setting offer was effectively meeting their needs.
  • According to the survey responses, 57.1% of parents/carers do not make use of their full entitlement of 1,140 funded hours. The majority of those who do not use their full entitlement believe that 30 hours a week is too many for their child to be in a formal setting and are choosing to gradually ‘ease their child in’.
  • There is a demand for more childminders across the island, with a large number of parents/carers stating interest in using a childminder as a source of childcare if this was an option. This was noted in both ELC and school-aged care, however the demand was more prevalent among ELC users, where they can use childminders as part of their funded entitlement.
  • 76.5% of parents/carers use funded hours to allow them to work, while 63.9% also use it to enhance their child’s learning and development.
  • The survey suggests that, instead of formal provision, the majority of parents rely on informal networks – friends and family (75%) – as their main form of school-aged childcare.
  • Current school-aged childcare facilities across Shetland do not meet the needs of families, with 52% of parents/carers stating that access to school-aged childcare in Shetland is not sufficient to meet their family needs. In comparison, only 21% believe that their needs are being met through current provision.
  • The findings conclude that nearly half of all parents/carers with school-aged children face barriers when accessing childcare.
  • Respondents want an increase in out-of-school childcare options, particularly in local areas. This includes more provision before school begins, after school finishes, and during the school holidays.

The results from this survey have been used to assess and further understand childcare needs in Shetland and will help inform the development of future services.

In a report to the council’s Education and Families and Policy and Resources Committees in June 2022, it was noted that school-aged childcare continues to be a significant issue for families in Shetland, something that was highlighted in the aforementioned survey.

It was noted that the Scottish Government has set out plans within the ‘Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26’ to build a system of school-aged childcare where those on the lowest incomes will pay nothing.  The lack of existing childcare provision across Shetland will make this very difficult to deliver.

Local knowledge and the consultation work that took place has helped to develop a very clear understanding of why providing and accessing childcare in remote and rural areas of Shetland is such a challenge.  These include:

Challenges from a provision perspective

  • geographically dispersed population
  • financial viability of services due to the relatively low numbers of children and high staffing costs – this reduces the likelihood of private sector services
  • limited after-school clubs and activities does not support a reasonable and reliable childcare offer (gaps in provision)
  • regulation of services
  • workforce

Challenges from an access perspective

  • long journey times to a central locations
  • limited access to public transport and what does exist may not fit in with school times
  • majority of children get school transport meaning they return directly home at the end of the school day – accessing childcare would mean parents/carers would need to collect
  • high cost of running a private car due to exceptionally high fuel prices
  • high cost of childcare for families
  • access to additional support for children with specific needs within childcare services

A multi-agency childcare strategic group was set up to help address the childcare issues across Shetland.  This group includes parental representation, recognising the need for services and organisations to work together with local families, groups and communities to find creative and sustainable solutions.

Work has been undertaken to extend the existing ELC services that operate in Brae and Sandwick to include school-aged childcare with this services operational from mid-2022.  In both locations, there was space and a management structure within the existing facilities to do this.  The model has been developed through consultation with local parents and carers.