‘Dearth’ of childcare in rural Highlands hitting jobs hopes
A lack of flexibility over childcare rules in rural areas is hampering efforts to get people into work and reduce depopulation, it has been claimed.
Politicians and agencies say they are working to find a solution, but the Caithness Chamber of Commerce has warned that there is “no easy fix” to the ongoing issue.
Stuart Black, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said parents and guardians are struggling to enter the labour market due to the lack of options for childcare.
The Scottish Government funds 1140 hours of early learning and childcare (ELC) a year – around 30 hours a week in term time – for three and four year olds, with some two year olds also being eligible.
Mr Black said: “There is a lack of availability of childcare in rural areas.
“There are particular regulations that are much more suitable for urban environments than rural, so there is a real dearth of childcare in rural areas. That’s actually compounding the problem of lack of labour supply.
“The regulations are quite strict in terms of the number of children per supervisor, the premises required and the licensing. It’s kind of a policy for towns and cities that’s not working in rural areas. So we need to try and do something about that.”
HIE have been working with the Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) to try and see if more flexibility can be provided to rural areas, so that more childcare solutions can be made available.
At the end of last year, a council report warned of “severe population decline” in the far north, with the population of Caithness expected to fall by 18 per cent by 2040.
Jaci Douglas, chief executive at CALA, said: “Regulations are very tight, and it is a highly regulated sector which is good as it’s about the safety and quality of education for children. However, it can hamper innovation and flexibility which can be challenging.
“In rural areas we need the same regulations as Glasgow, but we have a much smaller number of children.
“We need a different approach and a more rurally based model. If we can’t provide childcare then we lose out on valuable workers in the community and it contributes to depopulation.”
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd has echoed the sentiment and has says many of her constituents are struggling to access childcare services.
She said: “In the Highlands, depopulation threatens the sustainability of childcare services and often, when a setting closes, families have few nearby options available.
“The knock-on impact of this is significant. I hear regularly from key workers in my constituency who are unable to work as a result, which affects both local services and the economy.
“All families, regardless of their location, should have access to high-quality ELC in their community. We must work urgently to identify a sustainable childcare model that works for rural areas. To do so will require close collaboration with communities, the Highland Council and the Scottish Government.
“I am committed to driving forward improvements in my role and look forward to meeting with the Minister for Children and Young People next month to address the distinct challenges facing my constituency.”
Caithness Chamber of Commerce has agreed that the lack of childcare provision has been an issue for some time, but said there is “no easy fix”.
Chief executive of the chamber, Trudy Morris, has also pointed to the “unappealing” nature of childcare jobs due to low pay and high regulations.
Ms Morris, commented: “It is difficult to know actual numbers of people affected by the lack of provision, but employers are being as flexible as they can, when it comes to employing people with childcare needs. However, not every job can be done from home or flexibly.
“Many people are put off from being childminders by the low pay, paperwork and regulations.
“Highland Council provided funding this year to the Scottish Childminding Association to support the recruitment and training of eight new childminders in the north Highland area. The latest update indicated there are two now operating, one in Caithness and one in Sutherland, with another four either in training or awaiting Care Inspectorate sign off.
“However, given there were around 70 initial enquiries, it just shows how unappealing this profession has become.”
Highland Council currently has a survey in the north area of Highland to understand demand and need in terms of childcare in Caithness and Sutherland.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The traditional delivery model which more often operates across remote and rural areas, term time on a school day basis, does not meet all the childcare challenges for families.
“Highland Council is not funded to deliver additional childcare including that for younger children and babies or school age children, with extended hours across the year; however, as part of the operational delivery plan, the council is working with partners, to innovate and develop different models of delivery which meet the needs of children, families, and communities.
“Some of the development will require working with agencies such as Scottish Government, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and Care Inspectorate to enable changes to be made which facilitate the innovation required.”
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