The Scottish Government launched group will be made up of representatives from the private, public and third sectors as well as parents

A new group is to be set up to review Scotland’s childcare system.

The Scottish Government has announced it intends to launch an Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Forum to help develop plans to expand funded early learning and childcare.

The forum will include representatives from the private, public and third sectors as well as parents.

Reforming childcare is a key route into supporting vulnerable children and their families and ensuring that profound inequalities are addressed

Announcing the forum, children’s minister Aileen Campbell said the government wants to develop a high quality, flexible system of early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible for all.

The forum will “develop these plans and ensure they are realistic, achievable, sustainable and importantly, have high quality at its core,” she said.

“More details will be announced soon.”

The need for the forum was suggested by the Commission for Childcare Reform which was established last year by The Childcare Alliance, headed by Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock.

It reported back, in June 2015, making a number of recommendations including that the Scottish Government, working with the UK government, local authorities and providers, should commission a fundamental review of all aspects of childcare funding.

Speaking about establishment of the forum, Brock said: “We welcome this new group and look forward to reporting on the progress of the 51 recommendations that are in the commission’s report, and which make up the group’s remit.

“Reforming childcare is a key route into supporting vulnerable children and their families and ensuring that profound inequalities are addressed. Maintaining the status quo is not an option.

“We look forward to more detailed proposals from the Scottish Government, and to the review of the early years workforce by Professor Iram Siraj.”