A policy restricting funded nursery places to children who live within Edinburgh city boundaries has resulted in 65 per cent of affected families paying higher childcare bills.
The recent decision from the City of Edinburgh Council means that children from neighbouring council areas who attended private and voluntary independent nurseries in Edinburgh no longer qualify for council-funded early learning or childcare.
A report by the Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow, commissioned by the charity Pregnant Then Screwed Scotland, has evaluated the social and economic impact on the cross-boundary families who use childcare in Edinburgh.
Findings showed that 66 per cent of the affected families reported having to change their working hours or patterns and 46 per cent said they spent more time travelling to drop off or collect children. Moreover, 61 per cent of these families now rely on family or friends for extra support.
The average increase in monthly childcare costs was £500 but some families faced additional expenses of up to £1,600 per month.
Carole Erskine, the head of Policy and Campaigns at Pregnant Then Screwed Scotland said: “[this policy] has had far reaching consequences for families, nurseries, and staff.”
This report was released ahead of a budget meeting on February 24 where the West Lothian Council considered introducing a similar policy as part of their 2026/7 plans.
Following this meeting, the West Lothian council decided to adopt the policy, a move which has faced wide political criticism.
The Scottish Green Party challenged the Scottish Government in First Ministers’ questions over the “postcode lottery” created by cross-boundary nursery placement cuts.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay emphasised: “High quality, affordable childcare should not be a luxury.
“This Scottish Government promised free childcare at three, but they have not funded it, and have left cash strapped councils to try and plug the gap.”
“The City of Edinburgh Council building” by GB_1984 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.