Childcare Strategy Team
The Childcare Strategy for Perth and Kinross was developed in
response to the Government's agenda for the development of
childcare services as detailed in its paper Meeting the Childcare
Challenge: A Childcare Strategy for Scotland, (1998). The Strategy
recognised that good quality childcare has benefits for children by
promoting their development and learning, and benefits for parents,
by enabling them to work.
Although there was already a diverse range of childcare provision
in Scotland, action was needed to fill gaps in the formal childcare
sector which enables parents to take up employment or training. The
overall aim of the Childcare Strategy is to make high quality,
accessible and affordable childcare available in every
neighbourhood. Since 1999, Education and Children's Services
has had a core staff team to help oversee the further development
and implementation of the Strategy locally.
There are two key elements to the Perth and Kinross Childcare
Strategy:
Childcare
Supporting the development and delivery of high quality,
accessible, affordable and sustainable childcare which meets the
needs of children, families and communities.
This includes support to
- Childminders
- Out of School Clubs
- Parent & Toddler Groups
- Playgroups
Parenting
Supporting the implementation of the Perth and Kinross Parenting
Strategy, this includes
- The provision of resources and activities for parents, carers
and children
- Support, networking and training opportunities for
professionals working with families
In addition to these elements a key focus for the work of the
team is the provision of information, training and development
opportunities and resources. The Team is both operational in that
it is involved in the direct delivery of childcare and parenting
groups and activities and strategic, involved in the development of
and support to the childcare and parenting support sectors.
The Team consists of a number of multi-disciplinary
professionals with backgrounds in childcare, early years, community
development and youth justice and there is evidence of strong
partnership and collaborative working with colleagues across the
Council, Health, further education and in the private and voluntary
sectors.
