Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012
16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parenting Strategy
No, thanks. Despite the coalition Government’s sad, if predictable, dismantling of it, sure start remains a shining example of the early years provision to which we should aspire. Unfortunately, the Scottish Government is lagging behind.
On Monday, I attended an informal childcare conversation with parents at the Burnbank family centre in Hamilton, which was organised by Save the Children. For the parents I spoke to, flexibility is critical. As they pointed out, 600 hours of free nursery provision is no use if it is not available when parents need it. Flexibility is especially important to low-income families, who rely most on state childcare and are more likely to be engaged in professions with rigid working hours.
To achieve that, we might look to Europe for inspiration. A recent submission from Children in Scotland to the Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee made a persuasive case for the formation of an early childhood education and care system that would be similar to those that we find in other European countries. The submission outlines how that would improve the prospects of young children while simultaneously tackling the problems of female and youth unemployment through increased flexibility for parents and demand in the childcare workforce.
Combining high-quality, nurturing care with good early learning requires a skilled and qualified workforce. The European countries that have such a workforce have the best outcomes in terms of children’s happiness, health and wellbeing. That is what we should be aiming at.
There are examples closer to home of what a good parenting strategy might consist of. Last September, North and South Lanarkshire councils, in conjunction with NHS Lanarkshire and other service providers, formulated a parenting strategy. It includes a range of core commitments that are aligned to benefits and outcomes that are designed to provide support and guidance to local parents and care providers. It also offers a range of innovations for future consideration. For example, it stresses the importance of engaging with male parents and carers as early as possible, and encourages them to have a positive and active role in their child’s life. It also recommends the signposting of locally arranged activities such as parent and toddler groups, parent and teacher meetings and parent support groups. Those encompass the whole parenting spectrum, from prenatal classes to managing teenage behaviour. As many members will know far better than I do, parenting is a lifelong vocation.
Those are just a few ideas for how we can enhance childcare in Scotland. We must concentrate on getting it right for Scotland’s parents and carers. In doing so, we can help to give our children the best possible start in life which, I believe, is the most that any Government can offer.
14:45
On Monday, I attended an informal childcare conversation with parents at the Burnbank family centre in Hamilton, which was organised by Save the Children. For the parents I spoke to, flexibility is critical. As they pointed out, 600 hours of free nursery provision is no use if it is not available when parents need it. Flexibility is especially important to low-income families, who rely most on state childcare and are more likely to be engaged in professions with rigid working hours.
To achieve that, we might look to Europe for inspiration. A recent submission from Children in Scotland to the Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee made a persuasive case for the formation of an early childhood education and care system that would be similar to those that we find in other European countries. The submission outlines how that would improve the prospects of young children while simultaneously tackling the problems of female and youth unemployment through increased flexibility for parents and demand in the childcare workforce.
Combining high-quality, nurturing care with good early learning requires a skilled and qualified workforce. The European countries that have such a workforce have the best outcomes in terms of children’s happiness, health and wellbeing. That is what we should be aiming at.
There are examples closer to home of what a good parenting strategy might consist of. Last September, North and South Lanarkshire councils, in conjunction with NHS Lanarkshire and other service providers, formulated a parenting strategy. It includes a range of core commitments that are aligned to benefits and outcomes that are designed to provide support and guidance to local parents and care providers. It also offers a range of innovations for future consideration. For example, it stresses the importance of engaging with male parents and carers as early as possible, and encourages them to have a positive and active role in their child’s life. It also recommends the signposting of locally arranged activities such as parent and toddler groups, parent and teacher meetings and parent support groups. Those encompass the whole parenting spectrum, from prenatal classes to managing teenage behaviour. As many members will know far better than I do, parenting is a lifelong vocation.
Those are just a few ideas for how we can enhance childcare in Scotland. We must concentrate on getting it right for Scotland’s parents and carers. In doing so, we can help to give our children the best possible start in life which, I believe, is the most that any Government can offer.
14:45
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02888, in the name of Aileen Campbell, on the national parenting strategy for Scotland.14:05
The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
The Scottish Government’s aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. We want all our children to have the b...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I will give way to dad Mark McDonald.
Mark McDonald
SNP
Does the minister agree that an issue that affects fathers—albeit that it is outwith the Scottish Government’s remit—is the short time that they are given fo...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
Mark McDonald has made a valid point. The issue was the subject of discussion in the context of the Queen’s speech in the United Kingdom Parliament, and I lo...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I do not think that any member would argue about the importance of parents in a child’s life. Parents and other guardians are often the biggest influence on ...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I grant that a lot of the consultation work with parents who face particular challenges has been done, but my intention in having the debate was to give memb...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I will certainly give the minister some suggestions later in my speech.Better preparing and supporting parents in the responsibilities and opportunities that...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is in his last minute.
Neil Bibby
Lab
If the Government continues to let down kinship carers, what hope do other parents have that the national parenting strategy will help them?If the Government...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
We Conservatives welcome the debate, and in so doing we recognise the importance of a permanent and loving family environment in which to bring up children. ...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
A number of fathers have been in touch with me about that. Does Nanette Milne agree that the courts seem to start from the position that the mother should ha...
Nanette Milne
Con
Yes, I absolutely agree with John Mason. My family has experience of that situation, although we had a very positive outcome and my grandchildren have great ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. I remind members that speeches should be up to four minutes long.14:28
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad to speak in this important debate on a national parenting strategy for Scotland.I congratulate my colleague Jim Eadie on sponsoring yesterday eveni...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am always glad to have the opportunity to discuss how we can improve the lives of children and young people in Scotland, and today is no different. However...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Like in Glasgow.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Wilson, will you please stop shouting across the chamber?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
The importance of the early years to a person’s development is now more apparent than ever. That should be reflected by action to improve children’s start in...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
My Labour colleagues in Glasgow—
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is not giving way.
Anne McTaggart
Lab
—will also extend the vulnerable twos programme, which offers support to vulnerable children across the city and will focus resources on parenting support fo...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate the minister on securing this debate on the national parenting strategy and the Government on taking the time to consult families from a wide ...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Developing a national parenting strategy that is coherent and relevant to families across Scotland is a laudable aim, but the motion is an extended exercise ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Siobhan McMahon
Lab
No, thanks. Despite the coalition Government’s sad, if predictable, dismantling of it, sure start remains a shining example of the early years provision to w...