Around £500 million of funding has been provided to expand on childcare services across local authorities since 2014, Children's Minister Aileen Campbell has revealed.

Over 40 nurseries have been built or expanded by Scottish councils to accommodate additional hours, flexibility, and children.

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The Children and Young People Act expanded free early learning and childcare to 600 hours per annum over the last two years.

Ms Campbell said: "We know the early years are a crucial time in a child's development and evidence has shown access to quality early learning and childcare helps improve educational outcomes.

"Local authorities and partner providers have worked hard since 2014 to deliver the additional hours and I'm delighted that we are seeing investment in new infrastructure to provide the best environment for children to learn in."

(LM)