Families most at risk of living in poverty are benefitting from
expanded childcare offers through projects backed by the Scottish
Government's Access to Childcare Funding.
Almost £1.5 million funding will support the seven initiatives
situated in areas from Glasgow to Shetland over the next two
years. Organisations will use funding to deliver free or
subsidised breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, term-time and
holiday childcare, as well as specialist provision for children
with complex additional support needs. The expanded childcare
offers for these families is improving outcomes for children
while also supporting parents and carers to enter or sustain
employment.
Confirming the funding, Children's Minister Natalie Don-Innes met
families attending an after-school club at Fairview Primary run
by Support, Help, and Integration in Perthshire (SHIP). SHIP
provides after school and holiday clubs for children aged 5-18
years with complex additional support needs, sensory and physical
disabilities.
Ms Don-Innes said:
“Since 2020, we have provided over £4.5 million through the
Access to Childcare Fund to support projects delivering
activities, childcare, food and family support.
“Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government's defining
mission, and we know what a difference access to affordable
school-age childcare can make for families that need it most.
“The projects receiving Access to Childcare Funding over the next
two years are demonstrating the important role that school age
childcare services play in supporting children's health,
wellbeing and relationships, and in enabling more parents and
carers to balance caring for their children with work
commitments, thereby helping increase household income.”
Lucas and Marc are 16 years old and have autism. They have been
supported by SHIP since they were five years old. Their dad Brian
said:
“SHIP has played a critical role in providing our sons with
social opportunities and vital support with meeting their sensory
needs that we would not as a family been able to. The term time
clubs and holiday clubs have provided year round support for the
boys, and the happiness and confidence this has given them is
genuinely immeasurable.”
SHIP will receive £273,000 funding over two financial years
through the Fairer Funding pilot. General Manager at SHIP Nicola
Schelbert said:
“SHIP provides essential support for children and young people
aged from 5–18 with complex needs, delivering youth clubs,
Saturday clubs, after-school and holiday clubs. Access to
Childcare Funding supports our after school clubs and childcare
spaces at our holiday club, which enables parents to work or take
respite.
"Families we work with tell us that without SHIP, continuing
employment would be impossible, which would have a negative
impact on their families' wellbeing. This vital service
strengthens families and ensures children receive the support
they need.”
Background
Breakdown of latest Access to Childcare Fund projects and
funding:
Fairer funding pilot – funding over next two financial
years
-
SHIP is a
parent-led childcare provider in Perthshire providing holiday
clubs and after-school clubs for children with complex
additional support needs, sensory and physical disabilities
aged 5-18 – £135,000 in 2025-26, £138,000 in 2026-27
-
St Mirin's Out of School
Club delivers free or subsidised childcare for
children aged 4-12 with term-time indoor and outdoor play at
breakfast clubs, after school clubs and a holiday club in
Glasgow – £135,005.92 in 2025-26, £141,787.72 in 2026-27
-
Indigo offers
both childcare and family support through their family matters
programme for families in Castlemilk. They provide children
aged 4-12 with breakfast clubs and after school clubs and
holiday clubs – £196,325 in 2025-26, £196,325 in 2026-27
-
Stepping Stones for
Families provides a School Age Childcare service
at their Flexible Childcare centre in Possilpark Glasgow.
They deliver school-age childcare for children aged 5-12 years
during term time as well as during the school holidays –
£77,531 in 2025-26, £79.450 in 2026-27
-
SupERkids is led
by volunteer parents of disabled children and provides children
aged 5-18 with additional support needs with after-school
activities during term-time, as well as offering unsupported
family activities during holidays in East Renfrewshire –
£98,700 in 2025-26, £103,635 in 2026-27
Grant funding – financial year 25-26 only
-
Hame Fae Hame
provides wraparound childcare for children aged 5-12 with a
breakfast club and after school subsidised childcare during
term-time, and childcare during school holidays and in-service
days, in Scalloway, Shetland – £37.880 in 2025-26
-
The Wee Childcare
Company provides after-school clubs for children
aged 4-12, after-school clubs and 25 days of holiday provision
across four sites in Angus, with breakfast clubs at two of
these – £218,360.44 in 2025-26
