Rates increase for childcare providers

An increase in the rates paid by Renfrewshire Council to funded childcare providers has been approved by elected members.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

It means the hourly fee given to certain private or voluntary sector nurseries and childminders for placements of three to five-year-olds will rise from £6.45 to £6.74 and for eligible two to three-year-olds from £8.50 to £8.88.

The local authority relies on these approved funded providers (AFPs) in fulfilling its duty of delivering early learning and childcare (ELC) to all eligible children.

The latest rates were rubber-stamped by councillors at a meeting of the education and children’s services policy board on Thursday afternoon.

A report, which was considered by the board, explained: “In Renfrewshire,