A major new nursery building programme has been agreed as Fife prepares to meet the challenge of delivering 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare to every child each year.
Members of Fife’s education and children’s services committee pledged to back the development of a new early learning and childcare admission policy.
It will help meet the Scottish Government’s funded provision targets.
A range of capital projects have been proposed which will see new buildings, refurbishments and extensions at sites across the Kingdom.
More than £13.5 million has been allocated in 2018/19, rising to £30.1m next year, E40.1m in 2020/1 and more than £36.8m in 2021/2.
The cash is in addition to the current annual revenue budget for 600 hours of early learning and childcare.
Funding to deliver the programme has been allocated by the Scottish Government based on financial templates submitted by all local authorities in March 2018.
Clark Graham, early years workforce development co-ordinator, said more detailed information will be given to local area committees between October and December.
He said: “Work has been progressing successfully and is currently on track, with challenges being met as they arise.
“Since confirmation of the multi-year funding package has been received from the Scottish Government we have been able to increase the rate of development, particularly around the phasing of 1,140 hours through pilot schemes.
“Regular reviews of the approach are being undertaken to ensure that all necessary prerequisites to support delivery are being addressed..”
Fife is proposing to offer three options — term time provision of six-hour sessions per day; provision of four-hour, 40 minute sessions per day for 49 weeks; the use of private nurseries, playgroups or childmilders where hours offered can be mutually agreed between parents and the provider.
Parents will also be given the chance to blend the delivery models offered to meet their needs.
Figures presented to committee suggest Fife Council will probably provide 7,933 placements following the capital investment and procurement process across the region.
Partner providers will offer 1121 placements, childminders 673 and playgroups 320.
Mr Graham said up to 400 extra early years staff will be required before 2020, met through larger intakes in local colleges and apprenticeships.
Mr Graham said he was confident developer contributions could help meet any shortfall between lower Scottish Government estimates of the number of children requiring provision and Fife Council’s higher figure.
What’s being proposed and where?
South West Fife
Rosyth Resource Centre site – New Build
Inzievar Primary School, Tulliallan Primary School, St Serf’s RC Primary School – Minor Refurbishment
What’s being proposed and where?
South West Fife
Rosyth Resource Centre site – New build
Inzievar Primary School, Tulliallan Primary School, St Serf’s RC Primary School – Minor refurbishment
Dunfermline
Halbeath Community Centre site, South Dunfermline site – New build
Touch Primary School – Extension
Carnegie Leisure Centre, Duloch Leisure Centre – Minor refurbishment
Duloch Outdoor Nursery – Outdoor
Cowdenbeath
Hill of Beath Community Centre site, Lochgelly North Primary School site, Foulford Primary School – New build
Clentry Nursery, Dunmore Nursery – Extension
Cardenden Primary School, Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre Phases 1 and 2 – Major refurbishment
Glenrothes
Kinglassie Primary School grounds – New build
Pitteuchar East Primary School Nursery – Extension
Southwood Primary School – Major Refurbishment, Markinch Primary School – Minor refurbishment
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy North Community Hub site (Templehall) – New build
Capshard Primary School, Pathhead Primary School, Torbain Primary School – Extension
Old Rosslyn School site – Major refurbishment
Burntisland Primary School Nursery – Minor refurbishment
Levenmouth
Methilhaven Care Home and Nursery – New build
Kennoway Primary School – Extension
East Wemyss Primary School – Major refurbishment
Balcurvie Primary School, St. Agatha’s RC Primary School – Minor refurbishment
North East Fife
Leuchars Primary School grounds, Newburgh Primary School grounds – New build
Auchtermuchty Primary School, St. Monans Primary School – Extension
Ceres Outdoor Nursery, Crail Outdoor Nursery, Springfield Outdoor Nursery – Outdoor
