Follow up to the Green Paper and next steps
6.1. In this Green Paper, we have made a commitment to develop a childcare strategy for Scotland, which will respond to the needs of children, of parents and of a modern labour market. The strategy will be based on common principles and a shared approach to delivery at national and local level.
6.2. The detailed proposals set out in this Green Paper relate in particular to Scotland. Separate Green Papers are being published in England and Wales. Northern Ireland Ministers also plan to issue a consultation document on implementation there.
6.3. We want local childcare plans to be in place from April 1999 in all local authority areas. These plans must be agreed by local childcare partnerships, convened by local authorities and representing all the key local interests. Chapter 5 of the Green Paper describes the main necessary main features of these plans and their preparation. We propose to issue guidance on local childcare partnerships by the autumn. This guidance will set out who should be represented on the partnerships, what they will be expected to do and how they will be funded.
6.4. However, if partnerships wait until the autumn before starting their work, the time available to them to draw up comprehensive, well designed plans will be limited. We therefore recommend that local authorities, along with Early Years Forums and other interested parties, should consider as soon as possible the establishment of the childcare partnerships and setting in train their local audits of childcare supply and demand.
6.5. The sooner partnerships are established and start work, the quicker they will be able to start playing their key role in helping to realise our vision of making good quality, affordable childcare available in every neighbourhood. In particular, partnerships are crucial in ensuring that the £25 million which will be made available from April 1999 for childcare in Scotland through the New Opportunities Fund (and other potential funding sources such as the European Social Fund and the Urban Programme) is used as effectively as possible.
6.6. In summary, the timetable for follow-up action to the Green Paper is
| June 1998 |  | Summit conference on the Green Paper |
| 28 July 1998 | | Deadline for receipt of responses to this Green Paper |
| Autumn 1998 | | Publication of guidance on childcare partnerships |
| by winter 1998 | | A free part-time pre school place will be guaranteed for all four-year-olds whose parents want one |
| March 1999 | | Childcare plans completed and initial funding decisions announced |
| October 1999 | | Introduction of Working Families Tax Credit, incorporating the new childcare tax credit |
6.7. We would welcome comments on all aspects of the Green Paper from all of those involved. The key questions on which we would welcome views are brought together at the end of each section of this document and the full list is as follows.
Consultation point 1
Should there be a single national recognition scheme for childcare arrangements which meet certain specified standards?
Consultation point 2
Has this Chapter covered all the main ways in which the supply and recruitment of childcare workers can be increased?
Consultation point 3
What action is needed to gain acceptance and use of a coherent training and qualifications structure?
Consultation point 4
How can we assist in strengthening the quality of care provided through the informal sector?
Consultation point 5
Are there groups of families other than those described in this chapter who merit help with childcare costs?
Consultation point 6
Are there types of childcare, or localities or age groups of children, that particularly require attention under the strategy?
Consultation point 7
How should good quality childcare information services be funded and
managed?
Consultation point 8
What areas should be covered by the proposed minimum standards for childcare information services?
Consultation point 9
What childcare information is best offered at national level?
Consultation point 10
How can the effectiveness of childcare partnerships at local level be maximised?
Consultation point 11
Does this Chapter set out correctly what should be done to improve national and local data on childcare?
Consultation point 12
Have the tasks to be carried out at local level been identified correctly?
Consultation point 13
What are the barriers to employers, including small and medium sized companies, becoming developing family friendly employment practices, including help with childcare, and how can employers be encouraged to recognise the benefits?
6.8. To help us analyse all the responses fully in the time available, please keep responses as succinct as possible and indicate clearly the question to which you are responding. If you want to respond in more general terms, please indicate nonetheless the issues or areas that you are addressing. It is not necessary to respond to every question.
6.9. The closing date for responses is 28 July 1998.
6.10. Please send your comments to
Peter Willman
Scottish Office Education and Industry Department
Area 2-B(N)
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
6.11. Comments can also be e-mailed to:
peter.willman@SO013.scotoff.gov.uk
6.12. Responses to the Green Paper will be made available to the public on request unless you indicate clearly that you wish your response to remain confidential.
Copies of the Green Paper
6.13. Copies of this Green Paper are being sent to local authorities, Local Enterprise Companies and other organisations with an interest in childcare.
6.14. You can obtain further copies of this Green Paper as a priced publication from The Stationery Office and its agents (for details, see the back cover). We have also produced a leaflet summarising the Green Paper. This leaflet is being made widely available - it will be send to many childcare providers. It sets out the main proposals and issues for discussion.
6.15. The Green Paper and its summary version are also available on the Scottish office web-site Internet. The address is:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk
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