A play-based kindergarten stage up to the age of 7 could help reduce the attainment gap, the Scottish Greens have said of one of their key election plans.

The Greens would follow a model similar to that of Finland, and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have outlined similar proposals in recent weeks.

Background: Could it be raised to 7?

School starting age: ‘Historic change’ would pave way for ‘truly play-based education’

Scottish Parliament election 2021: The parties’ education policies

Also this week: Are these education’s priorities for the next five years?

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “The poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland has persisted and the clearest way to tackle this is by tackling poverty itself.

“That’s why the Scottish Greens have worked to deliver pandemic relief payments and ensured all primary pupils will get free school meals.”

He added: “The Scottish Greens believe Scotland should ditch the British model of starting school at four or five and instead look to our Scandinavian cousins.

“Finland is renowned for its education system, and it is recognised that kindergarten leads to better outcomes later in a child’s school career.

“The Scottish Greens would introduce this system in Scotland as part of our plans for a green recovery from the pandemic.”