Possible delay to funded early learning and childcare

Since the Scottish Government announced plans to provide 30 hours free childcare for every child aged between 3 and 4 from August 2020, as detailed in our previous article, many privately owned childrens nurseries have been preparing for these changes for the past 8 months or so.

However, as we understand things today, local authorities across Scotland have confirmed this change will no longer take effect from August, but is more likely to be delayed for at least 12 months.

This is merely the latest announcement due to COVID-19 to impact the childrens nursery sector and for many, the additional year could help to further prepare themselves for when it is eventually implemented.

We are also aware that childrens nursery insurers are currently looking to help with the business interruption claims. Although, Coronavirus is not a disease specifically noted on the insurance policy documents, we are aware of one provider relaxing the policy.

There have also been updates from an employment law perspective if you have furloughed staff and are looking to claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Thorntons Law have put together an article which discusses those updates, you can find this here.

We’ve been supporting our clients who operate childrens nurseries with the impact COVID-19 has had to their businesses to help advise in any we way can through this difficult time. If you operate a similar business and would to discuss your own circumstances, please get in touch.

For more information or to discuss how these issues impact you and your business, please contact our EQ Healthcare specialists or call any of our offices.