Early learning and childcare improvement programme
The Scottish Government has funded the early learning and childcare improvement programme to support early learning and childcare settings who offer funded places and are not currently meeting the quality criteria of the National Standard.
The main aim of our early learning and childcare (ELC) improvement programme is to help funded ELC settings across Scotland improve the quality of their service so they meet the National Standard for delivering funded hours.
The programme focuses on providing targeted support for those settings currently, or at risk of, not meeting the National Standard through a programme of sessions and peer support opportunities. In addition to this, the programme provides a range of universal resources to support all settings with improving quality.
To contact us please email elcimprove@careinspectorate.gov.scot
Bite size videos
We have developed a range of bite sized sessions which are available to all services on our YouTube. If you have any feedback on these please get in touch with us via our email address. We look forward to hearing from you.
Programme Evaluation November 2025
The early learning and childcare improvement programme team were asked by the Scottish Government to commission an external evaluation of their programme. The programme focuses on providing targeted support to those settings currently, or at risk of, not meeting the National Standard. In addition, the programme provides a range of universal resources to support all settings with improving quality.
The report concludes that overall, the improvement programme continues to make a significant contribution to improving the quality and consistency of early learning and childcare in Scotland. Equipping staff with the skills, tools and confidence to lead improvement supporting a shared language of improvement across the sector. Its continuation and development will be essential to maintaining national consistency, supporting providers to meet the National Standard, and securing positive outcomes for children and families.
We are currently trialling a devolved Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills (SIFS) model at the request of Scottish Government. This has been embedded in our successful programme which has been running since 2019. As part of our new SIFS approach we ask services to complete the National Education for Scotland (NES) Modules "Kickstart QI" and "QI Essentials." Participants are supported by our improvement advisors to complete these and make relevant improvements in their own services.
We have just finished cohort 12 of the programme and would like to share some feedback a participant shared with us about their experience of the ELC Improvement Programme:
"I gained a lot in so many ways both professionally and personally from being involved in the ELC Improvement Programme and our setting has moved from strength to strength .
I am sure your team will continue to provide excellent training and support for the sector in the future."
You can watch our most recent peer group session on Safe Staffing. In this peer group session we explore the Safer Staffing act which came in to force on 1 April 2024 and consider what it means for day care of children services. These session are held for previous participants of the ELC Improvement Programme.
Carol Wright from South Lanarkshire Council speaks to Hillary Brookes about her experience of working with ELC Improve over the years.
Watch the latest in our series of talking heads interviews where Hillary talks to a manager from cohort 2 and her service inspector to find out about their experiences and the impact of the ELC improvement programme.
This bitesize has been developed jointly by the ELC improvement team and scrutiny and assurance colleagues leading on the SIMOA keeping children safe campaign. This is designed to be used alongside the ELC keeping children safe practice notes.
From August 2020, the Scottish Government will fund 1140 hours of early learning and childcare (ELC) for all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds.
All nurseries, playgroups and childminders providing funded places will be required to meet specific criteria as part of the new National Standard, including achieving good or better Care Inspectorate quality evaluation. They will also be required to carry out continuous professional development.
Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that funded entitlement is available for all eligible children in their area.
Parents or carers can enrol their children for funded early learning and childcare.
Families should visit the Parent Club website to find out how to enrol for funded early learning and childcare places in their area.
Local authorities have individual application processes and deadlines. The Parent Club website will link to your local authority for more information.
For more information you can contact the improvement team on elcimprove@careinspectorate.gov.scot
Improvement resources
Thank you for subscribing!