Centre for Public Policy

The Evaluation Hub at the Centre for Public Policy is undertaking an evaluation of a change to early learning and childcare (ELC) provision in Edinburgh onbehalf of the charity, Pregnant Then Screwed. This evaluation will look at the impact of a recent decision to phase out childcare places in private nurseries for people living outside the city.

ELC provision is a multi-level policy challenge which can have profound socio-economic impacts. Despite a real drive to tackle the costs and availability of childcare by UK and devolved governments, challenges remain. Parents often cite a lack of suitable and affordable childcare as a key cost factor and fundamental barrier to increasing income or accessing employment.

The Scottish Government continues to review childcare provision in Scotland which has seen the entitlement of funded ELC increasing from 600 to 1140 hours per year, for all 3 and 4-year-olds. However, delivery of this provision lies with local authorities, who are operating under challenging financial pressures.

The City of Edinburgh Council announced plans to phase out funded childcare in private and independent nurseries for families who live outside Edinburgh City. These plans took effect from August 2024 and apply to new 1140 placements. It is expected that childcare places will still be available for families living outside the city boundary, but only via local authority childcare settings.

Carole Erskine, Head of Policy and Campaigns in Scotland for Pregnant Then Screwed said:

"We have heard from parents, predominantly mothers, who have been negatively impacted by the decision from City of Edinburgh Council and have had to reduce their hours at work, or in some instances give up their job entirely as they could not find suitable alternative childcare. Limited access to childcare severely restricts a parents' ability to work, negatively affects child development and deepens social inequality. We know that families on lower incomes are disproportionately impacted by limited access to high quality childcare as they cannot afford to pay for care. This widens the gap between affluent and poorer families and perpetuates the cycle of poverty."

This study will evaluate the impact of this policy change on those accessing the service and the wider implications for inequality and the economy. Working with Pregnant Then Screwed, our researchers will assess the impact of the policy on parents living outside the city area but requiring childcare in the city.

If other Scottish local authorities are considering a similar change, it is important to understand the impact of this policy change at a local level on parents, children, and the broader socio-economic landscape both risks and opportunities. 

 

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First published: 22 April 2025