Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 13 June 2024
13 Jun 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Kindergarten Stage
It is a pleasure to take part in what is perhaps one of the more fascinating members’ business debates. Along with others, I thank Fulton MacGregor for bringing it to the chamber.
There is an interesting discussion over a pedagogy, a fixed asset—our current schooling system—and the needs of our individual children. A lot of parents will echo Bob Doris’s comment that his child was ready to start school. Similarly, there are parents who recognise that their child is not ready to start school, and there is the option to extend that nursery year, as we have discussed.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-12369, in the name of Fulton MacGregor, on fostering a discussion on a kindergarten sta...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
First, I thank all members who have supported my motion, which calls for a discussion on a kindergarten stage in Scotland. I pay particular thanks to my coll...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I echo everything that Fulton MacGregor has just said. Does he agree with me that Diane Delaney is an absolute trailblazer when it comes to campaigning and h...
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
I completely agree with the member: Diane Delaney, who is a constituent of both hers and mine, is certainly that. At its most basic level, a kindergarten st...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr MacGregor, I have been very generous, but you are now at almost 10 minutes. Please complete your speech.
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
I will leave it there, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr MacGregor. My clock is at nine minutes and 52 seconds. The chamber one was not switched on, in error. We now move to the open debate. I urge m...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in the debate and I thank Fulton MacGregor for bringing it to the chamber. I am particularly keen to see a wider debate about whether t...
Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I thank Fulton MacGregor for lodging the motion for debate in the chamber and for continuing the work of Kaukab Stewart. I will quickly mention my respect fo...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a pleasure to take part in what is perhaps one of the more fascinating members’ business debates. Along with others, I thank Fulton MacGregor for bring...
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
This point is for Martin Whitfield as well as for Bob Doris. Does he accept that it is not just about whether a child is ready for school? Both my children w...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I am very grateful for that intervention, which speaks to the heart of what I am going to talk about. The way to look at this is to look at the young people ...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
As colleagues have done, I congratulate Fulton MacGregor on securing the debate, and I thank Upstart Scotland, Give Them Time and everyone else who has long ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Our guests in the gallery are very welcome and I am glad that you made it for part of the debate, but we do not invite gallery guests to clap during our proc...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I was not intending to say anything in this debate, but members have made very thought-provoking contributions. I have to say that I am a stickler when it co...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Natalie Don to respond to the debate. You have up to seven minutes, minister. 13:23
The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Natalie Don)
SNP
I am thankful to Fulton MacGregor for bringing this debate to the chamber, and I truly welcome the many excellent contributions that we have had from members...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That concludes the debate. I suspend the meeting until 2 pm. 13:31 Meeting suspended. 14:00 On resuming—