Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Adam Harley, has written to Scottish Government Minister Natalie Don-Innes, demanding urgent action to end what he calls an “unfair postcode lottery” in nursery funding.
In his letter, Harley calls on the Scottish Government to guarantee national funding so that every child in Scotland is entitled to a funded nursery place from the day after their third birthday; not months later depending on council policy.
The move follows East Dunbartonshire Council’s controversial decision to delay funded places until the start of the term after a child turns three - a change Harley previously criticised.
The policy shift, due to come into effect in August, could see some children miss out on up to four months of funded childcare, costing families thousands of pounds. Over 1,000 people have now signed a local petition calling for the council’s decision to be reversed.
Adam Harley said:
“Families are being financially punished simply because of when their child was born - that’s totally unfair.
I previously asked the council to reconsider this decision but it’s also up to the Scottish Government to step up and fund councils properly. We also need a change in the law to guarantee a fair deal for every child, no matter where they live or when they were born.
Parents working hard to provide for their families deserve consistency and support, not nasty surprises. As a local parent myself, I’ll keep fighting to put families first.”
Full content of the letter can be found below:
Dear Ms Don-Innes,
I am writing to raise concerns about the Scottish Government’s approach to early years funding eligibility, which is causing financial strain and confusion for families across Scotland – including in East Dunbartonshire.
As it stands, many local authorities – including East Dunbartonshire Council – now offer funded early learning and childcare places only from the start of the term following a child’s third birthday. This change, often made quietly and with minimal warning, means some children miss out on as much as four months of funded childcare.
That gap in provision can cost families thousands of pounds. I have spoken to parents who had been relying on the previous system, where funding began the day after a child’s third birthday, and who were taken completely by surprise when the goalposts shifted. One local petition on this issue has already gathered over 1,000 signatures in just a few weeks.
This situation is not only unfair, it is fundamentally inconsistent. Families across Scotland are being treated differently based solely on the decisions of their local council and the timing of their child’s birthday. I urge you to take immediate action by:
Parents need clarity, consistency, and fairness. They should not be penalised because their child was born in the wrong month or because their council has had to make cuts due to inadequate funding.
As a candidate, a local resident, and a father of a two-year-old, I’m calling on the Scottish Government to act. Please do the right thing and ensure no family is left behind.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Harley
Scottish Liberal Democrat Candidate for Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Adam Harley has called on East Dunbartonshire Council to reverse its decision to delay funded nursery places for three-year-olds, warning that families are being financially punished because of when their child was born.
