Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD HOSTS CHILDCARE EXPANSION Q&A WITH MINISTER

300 JOBS TO BE CREATED IN MORAY AS PART OF CHILDCARE ROLLOUT

Richard Lochhead MSP this week hosted a Q&A on the expansion of free childcare for three and four year olds with the Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd.

Local childcare providers and representatives from the Moray Council were invited to put their questions to the Minister on the rollout of the programme to increase the number of free childcare to 1140 hours.

Mr Lochhead invited the Minister to visit Moray to meet the providers who are key to the delivery of this ambitious policy and who work every day to ensure that children in Moray get the best start in life.

Speaking after the meeting Richard Lochhead said:

“The Scottish Government is investing almost £1 billion in free childcare with families across Moray set to benefit from an ambitious increase in the number of free childcare hours.

“The investment will see families entitled to 1140 hours of free childcare for three and four year olds, and by almost doubling the availability of free childcare parents are set to save hundreds of pounds a month, with many finding it easier to return to work.

“Local authority and partner childcare providers are vital to the delivery of this ambitious policy and ensuring that our children get the best start in life and I invited the Minister to meet with them as I felt it was important that they had the opportunity to share their views with her and to put any questions directly to her.  

“This is a significant investment that will create around 300 living wage jobs in Moray, which is a real boost to the local economy as well as for families that are set to benefit from the policy.”