Alex hosts public meeting on childcare in West Edinburgh

It’s getting harder and harder for parents to access childcare, particularly outwith normal school hours in West Edinburgh.

Local MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has taken up the fight to have government recognise the huge capacity issues in the system and the difficulty providers have in meeting care inspectorate requirements particularly around premises.

Alex recently held a virtual public meeting with both parents and providers.

He said: “One of the things that surprised me from the meeting was the unnecessary barriers being put in front of providers.

"For instance, the Care Inspectorate in some cases are not approving buildings for after school used, that are deemed perfectly fine for use by Education Scotland and used by school kids all day.

"I will be writing to the Council, the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Ministers with some helpful suggestions as to how the childcare landscape could be improved at no extra cost.”