Childcare providers set for hourly rate rise

Planned increases in the rates paid by Renfrewshire Council to funded childcare providers will go before elected members for consideration tomorrow afternoon.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

If rubber-stamped, 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 their duty of delivering early learning and childcare (ELC) to all eligible children.

The latest proposed rates are set to be discussed by councillors at a meeting of the education and children's services policy board on Thursday.