Background
The Committee undertook work on Early Years learning and education as part of its remit. This page reflects the work on Early Years during 2016 and 2017.
A link to the webpage for the ongoing work on Early years is here.
Evidence
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills - 29 June 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills gave evidence to the Committee on 29 June 2016. In advance of this meeting, the Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary asking for a written statement on the Scottish Government's plans for Education and Skills policy in Session 5.
Meetings and visits in Stirling - 30/31 August 2016
To inform the further planned evidence sessions in September and October the Committee undertook a number of meetings and visits in Stirling.
Stakeholder evidence - 5 October 2016
The Committee received written and oral evidence from stakeholders and experts.
Oral Evidence
Read the Official Report of the meeting on 5 October 2016
Written Evidence
SPICe Briefing
Scottish Government evidence - 2 November 2016
Read the Official Report of the meeting on 2 November 2016
Correspondence
https://beta.gov.scot/publications/evaluation-early-learning-childcare-expansion-delivery-trials/documents/00535593.pdf?inline=trueThe Minister for Childcare and Early Years wrote to the Convener with information on local authority spend of additional childcare funding from the Scottish Government.
Following the evidence session on 5 October on Early Years, the Convener wrote to COSLA seeking further information regarding monitoring of Scottish Government funding at local authority level on the provision of free childcare.
The Minister wrote to the Committee on the Scottish Government's Consultation on the blueprint for early learning and childcare
The Convener wrote to the Minister for Childcare and Early Years regarding employment of additional staff to deliver early learning and childcare by 2020.
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years responded to the above letter regarding employment of additional staff.
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills seeking further information on issues raised during the evidence session on 2 November. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills responded to this letter on 1 December 2016.
The Convener wrote to COSLA regarding the delay in supplementary information from COSLA on funded childcare.
COSLA responded to the Conveners letter regarding the supplementary information on funded childcare.
COSLA wrote to the Committee on the role of education authorities with information relating to ASN, early years provision, attainment gap, Scottish Government Governance Review, education spend, and the Audit Scotland report on Teacher Workforce Planning.
The Minister wrote to the Committee with information on the second tranche of trials for the early learning and childcare expansion.
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years provided information on the Scottish Government's Additional Graduate commitment.
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years wrote to the Convener regarding the publishing of the Space to Grow - Design guidance for early learning and childcare and out of school care setting
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years wrote to the Convener regarding Early Learning and Childcare additional graduate commitment
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years wrote to the Convener regarding the blueprint for the expansion of Early Years and Childcare.
The Committee received a copy of a Letter from the Minister for Childcare and Early Years to COSLA regarding cross boundary places.
The Minister for Childcare and Early Years wrote to the Convener regarding the Onsite Childcare Report.