Access to affordable childcare is one of the largest barriers to employment in Clackmannanshire, as well as throughout Scotland.  67% of parents cited lack of childcare as a barrier to employment – either entirely or hugely.  56% of working parents reported that they wanted to work longer hours but were unable to do so due to lack of affordable childcare.

At the same time there is a shortage of childcare places with waiting lists for nurseries, particularly private nurseries and a declining number of childminders and an associated increase in waiting lists.  Wrap around care – before and after school care is a major barrier for working parents.

In response to this CERT have undertaken a major piece of work to consider all aspects of Childcare in Clackmannanshire and is available HERE.

This work has set our agenda for work to improve childcare in Clackmannanshire:

1.working to ensure there is after school provision for all primary school age children

2.work to extend before school provision to at least 8am

3.support the existing, and encourage new childminders

4.increase the number of nursery places

5.develop a labour market plan to address staff shortages and turnover

6. further investigate the needs of children with additional support need

To achieve these, CERT will work alongside partners and stakeholders including the childcare providers, DWP, the Council’s Family Wellbeing Partnership, Scottish Childminders Association, skills providers and many others.

Childcare Update 22/07/2025

· CERT have facilitated regular meeting with Clacks childminders to help support this group and offer an opportunity for them to get together and discuss best practice. There have been at least four new childminders that are now registered in Clacks providing greater choice for parents looking to improve employability opportunities.

· In 2024 CERT supported Alva Play Pals by obtaining funding for the set up of a new after school childcare service in Menstrie.

· In March 2025 a new after school childcare service was set up in Tillicoultry, this was initially project managed by CERT who also obtained funding to support initial operations.

· Investigations are ongoing into a number of other areas in Clacks to establish need and feasibility for wrap around care, these include Coalsnaughton, Dollar and Tullibody.

· There are now a number of schools that provide 8am breakfast clubs which are offered through the Scottish governments Extra Time program and through the Bright Starts breakfast initiative. These offer parents greater flexibility for commuting to employment.

· A successful Childcare Work Taster program was delivered in 2024 with 5 out of 8 participants going on to work towards childcare qualifications. This helped to address recruitments issues in the private sector by helping to improve training and work experience levels.

· There is ongoing research into staff recruitment across all childcare providers in Clacks to assess the need for more intensive skills based training programs.

· Research is being undertaken into whether the current capacity for nursery provision is meeting the needs of Clacks families

Watch this space for further information as we progress each of these areas of work.