Early years education

Evaluation Strategy for the Attainment Scotland Fund 2022-2026

Author / Creator: Scottish Government

Media type: Report

Date published: 2022

use education to improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty with a focus on tackling the poverty-related attainment gap to deliver on the Scottish Government’s vision of equity and excellence in education


The School Starting Age

Author / Creator: James McEnaney

Media type: Article

Date published: 2022

Changes to the school starting age now part of the mainstream conversation around Scottish schooling


Why We Need a Kindergarten Stage

Author / Creator: Sue Palmer

Media type: Opinion

Date published: 2022

The case for kindergarden and a 6 year old start to formal schooling in Scotland.


Play is the Way: Child development, early years and the future of Scottish education

Author / Creator: Sue Palme

Media type: Book

Date published: 2021

A timely book on early years and education in Scotland, filled with a passion for change and wanting the best for our children. It contains numerous suggestions for how to close the ‘attainment gap’ and give those children currently failed by our education system a better chance in early life.


Caring about Children

Author / Creator: Marion Macleod

Media type: Podcast

Date published:

Child and early years care in Scotland is a patchwork. Tthe latest Programme for Government perpetuates that. Things could be greatly improved by a strategic and holistic plan for care sitting within a National Care Service.


An Equal Start: A plan for equality in early learning and care in Scotland

Author / Creator: Common Weal

Media type: Policy Paper

Date published: January 2016

This report is a plan for delivering change through a National Childcare Service in public provision, as a replacement for the fragmented, haphazard and unequal nature of the childcare sector at present. The report provides a comprehensive, costed strategy for achieving this transformation.