What steps it has taken since the launch of The Government Economic Strategy in 2011 to promote the provision of (a) high quality, (b) acce…

We continue to promote and support high quality childcare in Scotland through the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Social Services Council and Education Scotland. This includes the inspection programme and evaluations of improvements in performance by HMIE, and the strategic leadership, support and resources provided by the Scottish Government Early Years Team.
In addition, Scottish Government supports the third sector to promote affordable accessible and flexible childcare through the Unified Voluntary Sector Fund which supports the Scottish Out of School Care Network, Scottish Pre-school Play Association and the Scottish Childminding Association. A range of projects are also supported by the Early Years Early Action Fund and our recently announced Communities and Families Fund will allow communities and families to take a leading role in deciding what is needed at a local level.
We will also consider, with the recently established Early Years Task Force, what more we can do to promote high quality, affordable, accessible and flexible childcare in Scotland.