Published 30 May 2025
Privately run early education and childcare providers are set to get an hourly rise for supporting the Council in offering childcare to local families.
Members of the Educational Services committee agreed to increasing the hourly rate paid to partner providers for caring for eligible two year olds from £6.42 to £6.74 and for three year olds and above from £6.28 to £6.59 an increase of 5% from 1st April 2025.
The increase in rate for the providers is in recognition of the high quality early learning experience provided by partner providers and allows for investment in staff, resources and their environment. It also enables the payment of the real Living Wage for those childcare workers delivering the funded entitlement.
The Council also supports partner providers by providing free access to professional learning, working groups and annual mandatory training. Partner nurseries can attend leaders’ meetings, partner provider meetings and access early stages teacher allocated resources. Services can also access support from the Council’s Psychological Services and receive guidance and support from the Council’s Early Years Services, including preparation for inspections, sharing guidance and good practice and budgeting.
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “As a Council we are committed to supporting all children and families get access to early learning whether that is with a Council run facility or through a private nursery. We have built strong relationships with our partner providers and work together to ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet the demand of our families. I am pleased to see this increase to the hourly rate passed by the Committee as we recognise and value their commitment to supporting local children in their early learning.”
Councillor John Miller, Vice Chair of Educational Services, said: “With approximately one quarter of children eligible for a funded Early Learning and Childcare place accessed in the private sector in West Dunbartonshire, the Council is dependent on these places to fulfil its statutory duty. It is right that we ensure they remain financially viable to continue to deliver the placements families rely on. I am delighted to see this increase approved at today’s meeting.”