INTRODUCTION
1. This paper sets out the Scottish Ministers' formal response to the Education Committee's report on its Early Years Inquiry, which was published on 14th June 2006.
2. The Executive welcomes the Committee's report and the debate the Inquiry has generated. Early years services are a vital resource for children and families, support the economy and economic growth and it is important that we provide the type of services that families need.
3. This response is being issued at the same time as the publication of the Executive Response to the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce. That document marks a significant shift in our policy on early years and looks forward to a future where families will find it easier to access high quality flexible early years services that meet their needs. Members of the Committee may find it helpful to read the workforce publications alongside this response, although we have summarised key points where they relate to the recommendations made by the Committee.
4. At the heart of our vision for the future is an early years sector that delivers both quality and flexibility to provide the services that parents want and children deserve. We therefore share many of the objectives the Committee has expressed in its report, although there are areas where we see the route to achieving those objectives slightly differently.