Scotland needs to pay more than lip service to the notion of preventative community services if it is to improve life for its youngest children. Professor Susan Deacon’s report for the Scottish Government into early years services ‘Joining the Dots, a better start for Scotland’s Children’. “Every parent and young child in Scotland should have access, if they want it, to good, community based support,” she argues. The report highlights the need for more Family Centres, which could involve the public, private and third sectors.

Following the publication children’s minister Adam Ingram announced a £6.8m fund Early Years Action Fund to help the third sector improve early years services. The funding will be distributed through the Inspiring Scotland partnership.