Item 09 - Early Learning and Childcare Update
West Dunbartonshire Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Educational Services Committee — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Education Officer Educational Services Committee: Wednesday 26 November 2025 _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Early Learning and Childcare Update 1. Purpose 1.1 This report provides progress made to provide high quality Early Learning and Childcare in West Dunbartonshire Council. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes: (i) progress to deliver high quality Early Learning and Childcare. 3. Background 3.1 Early Learning and Childcare Within Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) we deliver, across all our settings, up to 1140 hours to eligible 2 year olds, and children aged from 3 to those not yet attending primary school. Places for children under the age of 2 are available in our partner settings and in some of our council run settings. These places support our eligible and vulnerable children and working families who require access to childcare. Overall children are very well supported, provided with exciting learning opportunities, and are nurtured by well trained staff. 3.2 Training There continues to be a wide range of training available to all our ELC providers through our Professional Learning Framework and our framework for this session aims to support the actions identified in our delivery plan, staff development needs and to support all children. Some of the most recent training has led to staff further developing their skills in literacy and play pedagogy. ITEM 9
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4. Main Issues 4.1 New Partners A new partner, Acre Wood Early Learning and Childcare, has now come into partnership with us and offers childcare and funded early learning and childcare in the Clydebank area. They are registered to provide 64 places in total, up to 12 places for children under the age of 2, 17 places for children aged between 2-3 and up to 35 places aged from 3. This will support provision within the Clydebank area for children and families. 4.2 Children’s Progress Attendance continues to be robustly monitored on a monthly basis within our early years settings and training to staff has been provided to develop a more consistent approach. The average rolling attendance across West Dunbartonshire Council settings for August and September 2025 is 89.44% which shows a slight drop from 89.61% at this point last session. We continue to work in partnership with settings to highlight the importance of good attendance to ensure the best outcomes for all children. 4.3 Quality Improvement Framework The quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sector was finalised in August 2025. This new self-evaluation document is now being used by both Care Inspectorate and His Majesty’s inspectors of Education to inspect ELC settings. We have engaged with leaders as the framework was developed and have supported them further through provision of a self- evaluation toolkit and professional development training. We continue to engage and support all our ELC settings, to maintain high quality provision for our learners. 4.4 Uptake on Provision Below is an overview of uptake that was submitted for our Scottish Government data return. This session has seen a small decline in the number of children accessing a deferred year compared to last year. We continue to have spaces to accommodate families wishing to access a deferred year for their child. Year Numbers accessing Local Authority Numbers accessing Partners inc. Childminders) Total Number accessing deferred year Total Number of Children September 2025 1197 430 118 1627 September 2024 1187 421 142 1608 September 2023 1217 392 111 1609 September 2022 1256 388 84 1644 September 2021 1259 395 95 1654
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4.5 Faifley ELC Our new Faifley ELC has opened. This setting combines what was formerly Lennox Faifley and Auchnacraig ELC as one setting in the new campus. This service is registered to provide a care service to a maximum of 202 children not yet attending primary school at any one time, of whom 58 are aged under 3 years and no more than 18 are aged under 2 years. The families, children and staff have transitioned well into the new setting and are really enjoying making the most of the excellent learning space. This service operates from 8am to 5.30pm and supports eligible children, vulnerable families and also offers affordable childcare for those families who require it. We have seen a positive interest from families in the range of provision being offered. 4.6 Clydebank ELC and Whitecrook ELC Clydebank ELC and Whitecrook ELC are now operating together and the children aged from 3 years old have now transitioned well over to Whitecrook ELC. Through the children aged from 3 accessing their provision at Whitecrook ELC this allows us to utilise this space in Clydebank ELC to accommodate more eligible 2 year olds. We will now undertake the required installation of an additional nappy changing facility within Clydebank ELC. Once this work is completed, we will be able to change the settings registration with the Care Inspectorate, thus allowing us to accommodate more eligible 2 year olds. This change will support us in better meeting the demand for spaces for eligible 2 year olds in the local community. 5 People Implications 5.1 Support is provided for Early Learning and Childcare staff teams and leaders to enable effective delivery of the high quality ELC and the expectations of the statutory offer of 1140 hours for eligible 2 year olds and 3 year olds to pre school aged children. 5.2 To date, we have supported 26 Modern Apprentices. 21 have completed their training, achieving a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 3 within our Early Learning and Childcare settings and have been supported into employment with the council. 5 Modern Apprentices are working towards their qualification at present. Additionally, since 2022 we have supported 26 career changers, or ‘upskillers’. Upskillers are employees whose training is fully funded through Skills Development Scotland. 21 of them have completed their qualification and 4 are currently participating in working towards achieving their qualification. We will continue to promote this career path and route to qualification.
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6. Financial and Procurement Implications Financial Year Revenue (£m) Capital (£m) 2021/22 9.723 5.880 2022/23 9.485 0.794 2023/24 9.742 0.287 2024/25 9.725 0 2025/26 0 0 Please note for 2025-26 - Under the terms of the Verity House Agreement, the Budget removed ringfencing of early years funding. ELC expansion funding which was previously ringfenced within the Specific Revenue Grant (SRG) is now baselined. The full ELC quantum is therefore now included within the General Revenue Grant (GRG). 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The Key Risks: Maintaining high quality Early Learning and Childcare at all funded providers to ensure that they meet the National Standard Criteria. Failure to deliver 1140 hours curriculum by confident, well trained Early Learning and Childcare staff teams. Evaluations of good for environment by Care Inspectorate are at risk if Early Learning and Childcare building assets are not maintained. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 There was no requirement to undertake another Equalities Impact Assessment for the purposes of this report as it provides an update for Committee. 9. Consultation 9.1 Regular consultation with stakeholders including parents and carers, Early Learning and Childcare staff, Unions, Council partners and partner Early Learning and Childcare providers continues through the various Council fora and regular meetings. We are currently undertaking our statutory consultation with parents and carers. This consultation started on 1 November 2025 and will close on 30 November 2025. We will then consider the feedback to help us further improve the service we provide. (The Consultation survey is attached as an appendix – WDC ELC Consultation Survey 2025). 9.2 Legal Services and the Section 95 Officer have been consulted in relation to the content of this report.
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10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the Council’s aspiration to have resilient and thriving communities, a strong and flourishing economy and a council that is inclusive and adaptive. These are some of the strategic priorities for 2022-2027. Gillian Hamilton Chief Education Officer 10 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Alison Bowers, Senior Education Officer, Education, Learning and Attainment Telephone No: 07813 534420 Email: alison.bowers@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Background Papers: none Wards Affected: All
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