Andrew has written to Aberdeenshire Council following a significant number of constituents contacting him raising their concerns about the recent decision to end all out of school care provision across Aberdeenshire.
Although out of school care provision had ceased within West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine long ago the present situation now means that access to any provision is not possible.
In his letter Andrew said that “The provision of out of school care is vital to thousands of families, more so now than ever before. The cost-of-living crisis is forcing many parents back into work who may not have needed to in the past, the lack of childcare is making this extremely difficult for many who need to take this step.”
He went on to explain that “In addition to this the provision of out of school care has always assisted thousands of parents, often women, in either remaining in, or returning to work once children are old enough to attend school, something that is so important as we strive to achieve a more equal workforce.”
Andrew is now seeking further information from the Council regarding alternative arrangements from private providers that may be able to assist and is now seeking a meeting with council officers.
Alongside his letter to the Council Andrew has also written to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP. In his letter to her Andrew argued that the Scottish Government’s decision to prioritise other services that publicly are not considered as important has came at the expense of other services.
Andrew wrote “The provision of out of school care also has a positive impact on the local economy, allowing more people to work, set up businesses and contribute to the local economy through increased tax revenue as an example."
Andrew ended his letter by asking the Scottish Government to consider giving greater priority to out of school care by making it a statutory service and providing appropriate funding.
"With all the above in mind and given some of the publicly perceived less important services that the Scottish Government have made statutory, I would ask that serious consideration be given to making out of school care a statutory service, with the appropriate funding being provided to councils to ensure they can deliver it.”
