The Virtual Voucher

Reform Scotland, the independent, non-party think tank, has called for the introduction of a ‘virtual voucher’ to help Scotland’s working parents access government-funded nursery provision.

Although the Scottish Government has a policy of offering all three- and four-year-olds 600 hours of funded nursery provision per year, many children are missing out as many working parents cannot find council nurseries which offer suitable hours.

Some local authorities allow parents to use their child’s entitlement to attend a partnership nursery. However, others, such as Glasgow, are limiting the number of funded places available. Reform Scotland has accused those councils of putting political ideology ahead of children’s needs.

Reform Scotland has accused those councils of putting political ideology ahead of children’s needs.

Full details can be seen in the briefing.

Reform Scotland has a a simple suggestion – if an independent nursery meets the Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate standards, parents should by right be able to take their full government-funded entitlement there as a ‘virtual voucher’.   This is not radical and already happens in some areas in Scotland. However, Reform Scotland believes that this should extend to all working families in Scotland.