Highland childcare demand rising as rural providers disappear

New figures reveal a growing childcare squeeze in the Highlands, with demand for funded places rising at the same time as the number of funded childminders providing them falls sharply.

David Green, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, uncovered the data under freedom of information and said the figures highlight the growing pressure on childcare provision in rural areas.

In just one year, the number of three and four-year-olds accessing funded Early Learning and Childcare increased by 278, from 3,550 in 2024/25 to 3,828 2025/26 - a rise of almost 8%.
The number of eligible two-year-olds accessing funded childcare also rose by nearly 9%, from 191 to 208.

Yet over the same period, the number of childminders delivering funded places fell by more than a fifth, from 36 to just 28.

The figures point to a widening gap between childcare demand and local provision, with potentially serious consequences for rural communities where alternative nursery provision can be many miles away.

David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:

“Families across the Highlands are doing everything right - working hard, raising their children and trying to access the support they are entitled to. But these figures show the system is creaking.

“Demand for childcare is rising year on year while the number of childminders providing these services is falling fast. In rural communities, childminders are often the only practical option for families.

“When those providers disappear, parents are left with fewer choices and in some cases long journeys just to access childcare.

“If we want young families to live and work in our communities, we must ensure childcare is accessible, flexible and available close to home. We need policies that reflect the needs of rural Scotland, not just the central belt.”

ENDS.