Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan joined Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP on a visit to Pairc Playgroup in South Lochs, Isle of Lewis.

Pairc Playgroup have been successfully operating an extended hours project in partnership with HIE and Muaitheabhal Trust offering wrap around childcare. The Playgroup have also been awarded an ‘Excellent’ grading by the Care Inspectorate for their care of the children and awarded a ‘Green Flag’ from Keep Scotland Beautiful for their Eco work with children.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“Thanks to the staff at Pairc Playgroup for facilitating this visit and to the children for letting us interrupt their play time!

“It was really useful to hear about the impact extending childcare hours in South Lochs has had, and learning about how this has enabled parents to go either to work or into further education as well as creating employment in the area.

“It really underlines the transformative potential of the Scottish Government’s pledge to double the number of hours of free early years education and childcare to 30 hours a week for vulnerable 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds by 2021.”