Shetland-based childcare provider Hame Fae Hame has secured £88,000 in funds from the Scottish government, which will go toward helping reduce child poverty by improving access to care for families on low incomes.
Hame Fae Hame currently provides childcare services for children of pre-school age and out-of-school hours for five-to-12-year-olds. It is currently registered for 52 children, with its intake having trebled over the last ten years and was graded 'very good' by the Care Inspectorate earlier in 2020.
Hame Fae Hame is among 15 Sottish organisations that will benefit from the funding, coming from Children in Scotland’s access to childcare fund.
The investment will enable Hame Fae Hame to make improvements to its covered outdoor facilities and expand its management capabilities.
Plans to develop its outdoor facilities have been compiled in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to enable more children to engage in outdoor activities safely amid an increasing demand for childcare.
Director Kaye Sandison [pictured left] told Shetland News that the funding they have been given to invest in the ‘access to all’ project will be of “unbelievable” benefit.
She said: “We were absolutely thrilled when this news came through. The fund is specifically looking at improving the facilities and the premises for low-income families to access, and this money will make an immeasurable difference to the service we can offer.
“Our model, where we only charge by the hour, is relatively unique. Parents are billed for their actual use rather than what they’ve booked, which discourages them from putting poorly children into our care when they can’t afford to be off work and still pay for childcare.
“We’ve always tried to keep costs low, and I’m very passionate about making it easier for women to get back into the workplace.”
The director of children’s services for Shetland Islands Council, Helen Budge, was also delighted that Hame Fae Hame were selected.
She said: “We have a very successful partnership with Hame Fae Hame, including the share of premises,” Budge said. “I know that Kaye and her team will put this additional funding to very good use, which will further enhance their brilliant provision for the bairns [children].”
