Early Adopter Community Project

Fife Council's Childcare Services Team are working together with the Scottish Government on the Early Adopter Community (EAC) Project which aims to build and deliver a system of accessible and affordable school age childcare, initially across the Levenmouth area, with wider support for families to improve family wellbeing by increasing access to childcare, food and activities.

The objective is to reduce barriers to employment and also to reduce inequalities for children and families.

Who we help

The Project is focused on supporting all families in Levenmouth, but in particular lower income families.

The childcare will enable parents and carers to either start looking for work or study opportunities, sustain their current employment, or move into more sustainable work or take on additional hours.

There are a small number of temporarily funded places available which can support families into employment, education, or through times of need. The places are generally offered on a referral basis through the partner agencies.

All families will be signposted to the various ways to save money on their childcare costs.

Current Services

We are developing the number of Clubs that are available through the EAC Project, and a range of funded or low cost places are currently available at the following settings.

Methilhill Community Children's Initiative is a community led group that is based within the Methilhill Community Learning Garden, who operate a programme of activities including the Outdoor Adventurers Club after school for Primary 1-7 with activities and a light tea provided Monday to Thursday (term-time) 3.00pm to 5.45pm. MCCI also offer additional support for families including a food pantry, toiletries & cleaning products, and benefits checking.

For more information see: MCCI

Kennoway Out of School Club is a Council-run service providing an After School Club within the primary school. The Club runs Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm and provides snacks and activities, and pilots a more flexible model with 2 hour sessions or a reduced cost. The Club provides snacks and activities and offers a space for family support such as benefits checking, and other advice around the theme of tackling poverty.

For more information see: Kennoway OOSC

Mountfleurie Out of School Club is a new Council-run service that has been established, providing a Breakfast and After School Club within the primary school for children from both Mountfleurie School and St Agatha’s School. The Breakfast Club runs Monday to Friday 7.45am to 9am, and After School Club runs from 3pm to 6pm. It also pilots a more flexible model with 2 hour sessions or a reduced cost. The Club provides snacks and activities and offers a space for family support such as benefits checking, and other advice around the theme of tackling poverty.

For more information see: Mountfleurie OOSC

The work continues to provide support to establish new services.

If you would like more information on any of the Clubs or your eligibility for support with your childcare costs, please scan this QR code:

Referrals

There are a small number of temporarily funded places available for families who meet the criteria, which can support them in employment, education, or through times of need. Funded sessions will be subject to available capacity in the setting and will be for an agreed period of time to allow families those new and different opportunities, and will be reviewed.

Referrals can typically be made from: Fife Gingerbread; Home-Start Levenmouth; Fife College; Fife International Forum; DWP Work Coach; Social Work; Life Chances Programme; and from within the Out of School Club.

If a place is taken up, the Club will check in with the family at various times during the year to review and gather some feedback from the family. There is a specific Privacy Statement for this project.

Contacts

If you would like to know more about the funded places at any of the Clubs, please contact your support agency or partner that you are currently working with.

If you don't know who to speak to or if you have any queries about the project, please contact Ashley or Clair at: ashley.birrell@fife.gov.uk or clair.lawrence@fife.gov.uk.