Chamber and committees

We recognise the value that families place on access to high quality early learning and childcare, and understand the decision to restrict attendance at these settings is very difficult for both children and their parents and carers.

For all our learners, and particularly for the very youngest children, some of the best learning already takes place through play, within the home with parents and carers. We are mindful that working parents of very young children are finding it particularly difficult to balance childcare and work at the moment, and to support families at this challenging time we have updated our Parent Club website with some useful links and simple suggestions to engage children in meaningful play based learning.

Education Scotland has also produced resources for parents and carers who are supporting young children learning at home (available on the Scotland Learns website ). These are complemented by a range of resources for early learning and childcare practitioners delivering support for learning at home. Links to the national e-learning offer (including Dug’s Den ), Scotland Learns practitioner resources and curriculum support can be accessed through a single page on the Education Scotland website .

In addition, the Scottish Government’s COVID Education Recovery Group have established a new subgroup on Parent and Family Support. This group will review all of the measures in place to support parents and families during this difficult time and evaluate the need for any further action.