Free “wraparound” childcare for the lowest-income families will be established in Scotland.
Children in that bracket will receive free care before and after school and also over the holidays.
The policy is designed to make it easier for their parents to work, take part in training or study.
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First minister Nicola Sturgeon will announce the plans in detail in a statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, where she will include them as part of the Programme for Government.
Free childcare ‘to help parents with employment’
“We know that children and young people have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and we are more determined than ever to help them flourish and reach their full potential,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“Our new system of wraparound childcare - providing children with access to a wide range of activities while enabling parents to have secure and stable employment - is just one example of how we’re making this happen.”