Early Years

Nursery Enrolment page
- Information and guidance relating to enrolment and free nursery places
Scottish Childcare Information Service
- This service provides a range of information on childcare services including
  - childminders
  - nurseries
  - parent and toddler groups
  - out of school care
  - creches

"It is during our very earliest years and even pre-birth that a large part of the pattern for our future adult life is set".

Source: Early Years Framework

National Context

The Scottish Government launched the Early Years Framework in 2008 and published an update on progress in January 2011: Early Years Framework - Progress So Far. These documents set out the commitment to giving all children the best possible start in life.

In October 2012 it launched the Early Years Collaborative with the objective of accelerating the conversion of the high level principles set out in GIRFEC and the Early Years Framework into practical action.

A National Parenting Strategy was launched in October 2012. The Scottish Government's aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place in the world for children and young peple to grow up. The National parenting Strategy seeks to turn this aspiration into practical action - by championing the importance of parenting, by strengthening the support on offer to parents and by making it easier for them to access this support.

Local Context

In December 2011 Clackmannanshire Council approved a Children & Young Person's Integrated Services Plan and the Early Years Framework Implementation Plan.

A delegation from Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils and the Community Planning Partnerships recently attended a ground-breaking event in Glasgow which aims to make Scotland the best place to grow up.

The Early Years Collaborative (EYC) is a national, multi-agency quality improvement programme established by the Scottish Government and implemented locally by Community Planning Partnerships. Officers from Clackmannanshire worked closely together with partner services including Health and Police and the third sector.

Please refer to our Early Years Collaborative web page for more information.

Scottish Childcare information service one stop shop

Please use the link below to access this resource:

Clackmannanshire Pre-School and Childcare Information Service
- This service provides a range of information on childcare services including
  - childminders
  - nurseries
  - parent and toddler groups
  - out of school care
  - creches

Books for Babies

The Clackmannanshire Books for Babies project focuses on raising attainment levels in reading in children starting school.

Childcare Tax Credit and welfare reform

For information and application details on tax credits, please visit the Inland Revenue website.

Significant changes are on the way for those customers of the Council who claim certain welfare benefits. The major changes are summarised in our Welfare Reforms page.