A new “nursery premium” would help children from poorer backgrounds to make a smooth move into primary school, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said.
The proposal would mirror the Scottish government’s Pupil Equity Fund (PEF), the party said. The PEF was introduced in 2016, providing schools with money for innovative projects to close the disadvantage-related attainment gap.
The call for a nursery premium comes after analysis by the party revealed that more than half of two-year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds were not receiving the free childcare they were entitled to.
An estimated 14,500 children aged 2 are eligible for free childcare, but figures from the local authority body the Improvement Service show that as of April this year, just 7,157 were taking up the offer - around 49 per cent.
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie said: “Ensuring that everyone achieves their potential is the great liberal goal. It’s good for our young people and good for our economy, too.
‘Nursery premium’ plan to help preschool children
“On [Scottish Qualifications Authority exam] results day it was again clear that Scots from poorer backgrounds are still more likely to exit education with lower qualifications than their richer classmates.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats have already persuaded the Scottish government to expand nursery provision and introduce a pupil premium [known as PEF funding] for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
He said that PEF money was “one of the few concrete steps the government has taken to try to close the gap”.
Mr Rennie added: “While this is a step in the right direction, extensive academic research has identified that though the gap widens throughout school years, it actually starts well before formal schooling begins.
“A nursery premium - funding that follows the child and is managed by providers - would make sure preschool children from poorer backgrounds are better equipped when they start school.”
