In Scotland, children aged 3 and older are entitled to 1,140 hours of free childcare per year, about 30 hours a week during term time, funded by the Scottish Government. However, a loophole in the system is costing parents hundreds, if not thousands of pounds in missed funding.

My son was born in April, and under the current childcare funding regulations, in our local authority, he wouldn't be eligible for his 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare until the August term. This discrepancy arises merely due to his birth month and the local cut-off policies. Despite being enrolled in a private nursery that operates throughout the year, our family faces a financial shortfall exceeding £2,600 because of these rules. This loss is significant for us, as I have to rely on private nursery care in order to work.

This situation is not just unique to my family. Many parents across Scotland face a similar predicament. According to the Scottish Government, children are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare from the term after their third birthday. However, the implementation of this scheme varies significantly across local authorities, leading to unequal access based on arbitrary timelines that do not coincide with real-life needs of working parents.

To remedy this, we call upon the Scottish Government to standardise childcare funding across all local authorities and ensure that every child is eligible for their full entitlement of hours immediately after they turn three. The government needs to recognise that parents employ private settings all year for a reason – our jobs and responsibilities don't pause between academic terms.

Fair childcare funding ensures that all children, regardless of birthdate or living location, have equal access to early education, thereby reducing financial burdens on parents and promoting equitable opportunities for all families.

Join us in urging the Scottish Government to reevaluate and amend the existing childcare funding policy, creating a more flexible, equitable solution for all. Sign this petition to ensure no parent in Scotland misses out of childcare funding they have been promised, Stand up for fair childcare funding in Scotland, together, we can make a difference.