Across North Ayrshire 2,108 children - 95% of three and four year olds and eligible two year olds - now benefit from free early learning and childcare (ELC) saving each family £5,000 per child each year.
Throughout Scotland, 83,237 children aged between two and five now access the full annual 1,140 hours of free ELC.
Commenting, Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Scotland is the only part of the UK to offer 1,140 hours of free childcare to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.
“This saves families £5,000 per eligible child each year, at a time when inflation is skyrocketing as a result of the Tory-made cost of living crisis.
“Childcare also benefits children by enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills, they need to prepare them for school.
“The SNP Government also provides support for families with the Scottish Child Payment, which will be extended to all eligible under-16s by the end of this year.
“However, it continues to do so with one hand tied behind its back by a UK Tory Government that has slashed support for families and caused the biggest squeeze on household budgets in decades.
“Only with independence can we unlock Scotland’s full potential and build a fairer, more equal country.”
