Chamber and committees

Expanding Childcare

Submitted by: Màiri McAllan, Clydesdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Motion type: Motion For Debate
Motion reference: S7M-00128
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 27 May 2026

Motions as amended

That the Parliament believes that every child deserves the best start in life and that a child's earliest years are crucial in their development; recognises the importance of high quality, accessible and affordable childcare in tackling poverty, supporting employment opportunities for parents, supporting child development and driving inclusive economic growth; further recognises that the Scottish Government needs to do more to reduce the costs of childcare for working parents, improve the flexibility of the childcare system, support childminders and give parents more choice and control over the childcare that works for their family; calls on it to set out a fully costed delivery plan and timeline for its commitment to extend year-round childcare support to every child from nine months old to the end of primary school, and further agrees that as a first step towards this expansion, the Scottish Government and COSLA must work together to ensure that cross-border placements are available across Scotland, that all children can access the current funded hours the week rather than term after the child's relevant birthday, and that the required flexibility in provision will only be achieved with proper workforce planning.

Supported by: Siobhian Brown, Katie Hagmann, Ben Macpherson

Vote

Result 103 for, 16 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote Agreed

Scottish National Party

53 for
0 against
0 abstained
4 did not vote
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Scottish Labour

15 for
0 against
0 abstained
2 did not vote
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Reform UK

0 for
16 against
0 abstained
1 did not vote
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Julie MacDougall

Scottish Green Party

15 for
0 against
0 abstained
0 did not vote
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Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

11 for
0 against
0 abstained
1 did not vote
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Finlay Carson

Scottish Liberal Democrats

9 for
0 against
0 abstained
1 did not vote
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Adam Harley

No Party Affiliation

0 for
0 against
0 abstained
1 did not vote
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Kenneth Gibson

Original motion text

That the Parliament believes that every child deserves the best start in life and that a child’s earliest years are crucial in their development; recognises the importance of high quality, accessible and affordable childcare in tackling poverty, supporting employment opportunities for parents, supporting child development and driving inclusive economic growth; acknowledges the Scottish Government’s investment in early learning and childcare to date, and supports its aim to extend year-round childcare support to every child from nine months old to the end of primary school.