Publication date February 2026
This report explores the early years policy and initiatives implemented by the Scottish Government, and previously the Scottish Executive and makes recommendations for prioritising support for children under five and their families.
A child’s early years are a critical stage in their development and can have a lasting impact on mental and physical health, learning and behaviour. Investing in early childhood can bring significant long-term benefits for children, their families and communities.1
We wanted to find out to what extent the early years have been a national policy priority in Scotland since devolution and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.2 To answer this question we carried out:
- a review of policy developments: desktop research to develop a policy timeline capturing key developments in early years policymaking, legislation, parliamentary enquiries and media coverage since devolution
- an audit of children’s services plans: a search term analysis and review of strategic priorities to examine how early years was prioritised within local authority planning for 2023–2026.
We present our findings and recommendations for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections and beyond.
Author: Rachel Love
Key findings
Review of policy developments
Our policy analysis shows that the Scottish Government and before that, the Scottish Executive has a strong understanding of the importance of the early years and the value of prevention and intervention. However, policy prioritisation has been inconsistent, leading to gaps in national and local service planning and delivery.
Audit of children’s services plans
The Scottish Government holds the strongest influence in driving early years policy and implementation. Findings from our children's services plan audit demonstrated that the early years were not a strategic priority for local authorities during this planning period. This reflects a lack of national prioritisation of the early years at the time, as shown in our policy analysis.
Recommendations
The 2026 Scottish Parliament elections are an important opportunity for all political parties to commit to placing prevention and early intervention in the early years at the heart of future policy development and public investment in Scotland.
Beyond the elections, we want the new Government to put a lasting focus on the earliest years, giving families the support they need so every child gets the best possible start in life.
Renew and sustain prioritisation of the early years
The incoming government must place a long-term strategic emphasis on the early years that acknowledges the fundamental importance of early childhood development, early relationships and experiences and their impact on a child’s future life outcomes.
Develop a comprehensive early years strategy, led by a Minister for Early Years
A cross-government early years strategy and shared vision should be established, supported by ongoing investment and tools for evaluating progress. The government should create a Minister for Early Years responsible for developing policies that support children and their families from pre-birth up to school age.
Revise statutory guidance on children’s services planning
Part 3 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 statutory guidance on children’s services planning should be amended to strengthen its emphasis on prevention and intervention initiatives in the early years at a local level.
Advance The Promise implementation and UNCRC incorporation
The government should make sure it keeps its commitment to The Promise and effectively incorporates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). There needs to be more robust leadership and greater attention to the needs, rights and experiences of children under the age of five and their families.
Citation
Please cite as: Love, R. (2026) Over 25 years of early years: an overview of early years policy development in Scotland since devolution. Glasgow: NSPCC.
