Childcare Partnership
Introduction
The Western Isles Childcare Partnership was formed in January 1999 as a result of the Government's Scottish Childcare Strategy. This strategy is a key part of the Government's commitment to support families and children by ensuring that good quality, affordable childcare is available to meet the needs of all parents and children aged 0-14.
To address this commitment the Partnership in its first three years of operation, April 1999 - March 2002, has been involved in:
· Increasing the number of pre-school education places.
· Increasing the number of childminders..
· Creating and encouraging after school and holiday childcare provision.
· Increasing and subsidising childcare for children with additional support needs.
· Facilitating one-off training opportunities for childcare workers.
· Part funding SVQ training, provided through the training organisations.
· Providing grant funding to childcare providers.
· Providing a Childcare Information Service.
· Fund the umbrella organisations, CNSA, SPPA, SCMA and OOSCF, to provide support to childcare workers throughout the whole of the Western Isles.
