Is Scotland ready for a post Covid19 metamorphosis of childcare and education?

Childcare challenges, bold decisions needed and time for a meaningful metamorphosis of our education system. Could Covid19 have created the perfect opportunity for change?

From parents to providers, from those who deliver our children’s formal education to those who plan it nationally and those responsible for its management at a local level, its been a tough few weeks. And as plans for the reopening of schools and early learning and childcare services progress it’s getting tougher and tougher.

With reopening dates for formal education not due until August at the earliest, parents across the nation are wondering what next? as more and more of them are required to return to work in the phased reopening of our economy.

Our First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is assuring us that the Scottish Government will “continue to increase access to critical childcare for those who need it most”. Yet despite this many of Scotland’s Local Authorities are reducing the number of keyworker childcare spaces they have over the summer and many are telling childcare providers that they cannot open privately for key worker parents. 

The provision of education in Scotland is the responsibility of the 32 local authorities who must ensure they meet statutory requirements and take forward nationally agreed policy. Their accountability also includes the spending of educational funding monies. Information on Education Scotland's website states “They have responsibility for the continuous improvement of services to meet the needs of their local communities”.

Leading the nation safely through the Covid19 pandemic is the responsibility of the Scottish Government who have devolved administration responsibility for public health services, education, policing and justice. The clear intention of the Scottish Government, as declared by our First Minister, is to increase access to childcare for keyworkers, so why is this not happening?

Sadly, bureaucracy seems to be the blocker here. Local authorities have operated much of the keyworker childcare to date with their own staff and on their own premises…but we’re approaching the school summer holidays when staff are on annual leave and buildings are shut. Rather than innovate, working with partner providers, out of school care services and sports and activity clubs the response in many areas seems to be to reduce the number of childcare spaces. Last week’s Education and Skills Committee Meeting, shown on parliament TV, offered no reassurance to families or providers and even went as far as to suggest using informal childcare in local communities, it’s concerning to think that a suggested solution to a national problem of this scale is to leave children in unregulated care.

To allow our country to progress safely into phase 2 of the lifting of restrictions and a reopening of businesses it is imperative that a solution to the lack of available childcare is rapidly found…this wouldn’t be difficult as there are many registered, regulated and high quality providers out there who are ready to step up to the mark and provide these services. We just need a bold national decision to be made and local authorities to take it forward as is their responsibility.

Next we need to take a stand against the plans for children to return to school in August on such a part time timetable that some were being offered just one day a week in school. Thankfully, from a Scottish Government perspective this is now the contingency position rather than the default as had been suggested but its still vitally important that this government aim is not diluted at a local level. The statement made at last week's Education and Skills Committee meeting that schools are not childcare, whilst technically correct, was at best inconsiderate of the reality of life as a working parent and at worst a blatant refusal to be part of the solution. If we are to make this work it's vital that everyone involved in the delivery of education has a clear goal to provide access to schools in a way that works for children, families, communities and the nation.

Assuming and trusting that those who can will, lets start to think about what happens next.

In March our education system was shaken to its core with most pupils out of school and learning from home. For some pupils these weeks and months without the familiar routine, and sadly in some cases safety, of school has been incredibly difficult. For some they’ve relied on the support of charities as they missed the access to resources and that most basic of human rights, food.

Some children have thrived away from the restrictions and challenges of formal education, some have felt safe away from the bullies and difficult situations they were facing each day.

Most have missed friends, many have missed supported transitions and special moments, there have been no leavers parties, no end of term concerts, no visits to Primary for those due to start P1 and no high school induction days for those moving into S1.

Many parents have struggled to juggle home schooling and working from home, some have recognised that the most important thing at this moment in time is their child’s health and emotional wellbeing. Some have just resorted to play, the most natural thing in the world for a child, and the way in which they learn most effectively.

For some families it’s been bleak for others a blessing and reflecting on this surely tells us things must change. One size will never fit all so perhaps now is the ideal time to review and consider a more innovative, tailored and personalised approach.

The world has changed incredibly since I was at school yet so much of the education my daughters and their friends have experienced has been delivered in the same ways as it was when I was a pupil. Experiences during Covid19 have shown us how we can use technology to support learning and how some children thrive. There are of course logistics to overcome such as access to hardware and connectivity but surely in 2020 these too are basic rights and something, we should be ensuring all our children can access.

As we emerge from the restrictions of lockdown it would be wonderful to think we could take the time to revisit our education system, to reflect on what works, what could be improved and what we’ve learnt during the Covid19 pandemic.

There are so many things we could consider, how about a play-based curriculum until the age of seven? A restructured school day with wrap around access to community activities and increased flexibility? Mixed age groups? Blended learning models? Increased focus on empathy, health and wellbeing and basic life skills? Partnerships with other educational organisations, third sector groups and even commercial entities?

The worst thing that could happen now would be a blanket return to the way things were, let’s face it the old “normal” wasn’t really working so one of the best things we could do for our children, families and communities as we exit lockdown would be to start thinking about how we evolve and metamorphosise to a new and better normal.