Highland Council on target for roll-out of early learning hours in strath
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Highland Council has almost completed the roll-out of the 1140 hours early learning and care (ELC) provision in the strath and wider region.
Members of the authority's education committee meeting at Inverness headquarters were told yesterday the 92 per cent of ELC settings in the Highland are now delivering the enhanced hours.
And education officials said that the 100 per cent figure would be hit from August 2021 as required by the Scottish Government.
Councillor John Finlayson, chair of the education committee, said: “I am delighted that we are continuing to progress with delivering 1140 hours of funded provision in the Highlands.
"I am pleased that, at present, we are still on track to achieve this despite the Covid challenges we have all faced in recent times and the additional Covid-19 restrictions being implemented nationally at the start of the year.
“This is a large project of work and I would like to thank each individual involved for their continued efforts in helping us deliver this essential service which will support families across the region and so many other areas of our recovery agenda."
The council has said it will soon be working with the Scottish Government on a new scheme to support the health and wellbeing of youngsters and helping to develop healthy eating habits.
The Scottish Government will fund, via the council, all pre-school children, toddlers and babies attending eligible settings for two hours or more per day, for one-third of a pint of milk or a specified alternative and a healthy snack of a portion of fruit or vegetables.
