Friday May 29th 2026
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Council has defended its funding decisions on private nurseries as a national campaign gets under way to firm up early years care finances.
The national body representing private day bursaries has launched its “100 days for 100 Families” to fight for the families who face disrupted childcare.
In West Lothian the council says changes are needed to protect ELC services. It called for “a root and branch review” of the legislation.
A debate on expanded childcare took place in Holyrood on Wednesday and an amendment on supporting children from across council boundaries at a national level tabled by Scottish Greens was accepted.
The National Day Nurseries Association said: “On the back of that motion, NDNA Scotland is launching its ‘100 Days for 100 Families’ campaign for action in the first 100 days of the new government. There are just over 100 families across the central belt whose childcare arrangements are set to be abruptly ended due to West Lothian Council’s decision to stop funding their existing nursery places.
“National operating guidance needs to make funded ELC places for cross-boundary children a statutory requirement rather than relying on informal reciprocal arrangements between council areas. This was one of NDNA’s pre-election manifesto commitments.”
Andrew Carr of First Adventures Nursery in Linlithgow has several families who will be affected by this decision. Mr Carr who chairs NDNA’s West Lothian nursery network said: “Childcare choices are some of the most important decisions parents make and yesterday’s commitment to begin immediate work in defence of the principles of Funding Follows the Child shows that the Scottish Government respects families’ right to make those choices themselves.
“No local authority should be able to draw its own boundary across any family’s access to their nationally funded childcare entitlements and we hope that the commitment made today is made as a direct commitment to those hundred families across the Central Belt who have suddenly found their childcare plans shattered by the decision of West Lothian council.”
A council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the debate, and Green motion, would make no difference to its decision at the February budget to the only fund council nursery places for those living outside West Lothian.
They said: “It is important to recognise that the continuing financial crisis facing councils is of a magnitude which has never been experienced before. Councils across Scotland are projecting substantial and sustained overspends in the delivery of services, as the costs of service delivery continue to outpace funding increases.
“With the ongoing financial challenges faced by the council, this recent decision was based on the need to prioritise West Lothian Council resources for West Lothian’s children and families.
“Statutory Guidance is clear that West Lothian Council has a statutory duty to secure the statutory entitlement to funded early learning and childcare for children residing in its area.
“There is no statutory duty on councils to make provision for residents of other areas. The Scottish Government has confirmed to us that there are no statutory duties on cross-boundary provision.
“West Lothian has significant capacity within the ELC sector and we recently closed eight Council nurseries due to oversupply of places, in light of falling birth rates and Funding Follows the Child which has resulted in a greater number of parents choosing to use funded provision with private providers.
“It is worth noting that had the measure to remove funding for non-West Lothian Children not been approved, alternative savings within the Early Learning and Childcare Budget would be likely to result in further council nursery closures within West Lothian. This would be likely to have resulted in a greater number of parents having to access Early Learning and Childcare at a different venue.
“This recent change is being made to protect West Lothian’s services and any alternative saving could have adversely impacted parents, services and children living in West Lothian.
“We appreciate the potential impact this proposal may have on families who live outside West Lothian and rely on established childcare arrangements, and we recognise the importance of continuity and stability for children’s well-being.”
We are committed to fully supporting any transition arrangements should families consider a move to one of our council establishments. Families living out with West Lothian can still choose to place their children in one of our council nursery establishments. This is still over and above our statutory responsibility which is to make provision for residents of West Lothian only.”
They added: “It would be helpful if the Scottish Government would conduct a root and branch review of the guidance, and policy and funding frameworks, associated with Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
“The Council has undertaken large scale consultation, and a significant number of respondents agreed with this measure being implemented.”
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