1) @JohnSwinney as you finalise your guidance on 'transitions' for children moving from EY to school please consider parents of 4yr olds who have been rejected for discretionary funding. Many parents who cannot afford to pay nursery fees for a deferred year are already under

2) huge financial stress which has been exacerbated with the lockdown. Those children that parents were concerned about pre lockdown are now hugely concerned about the impact of this on their development and mental health.

3) the impact for those children who we are already concerned about, who are already struggling emotionally/ physically is going to be amplified in the coming weeks and months. Please listen to parents and those organisations supporting us in providing the financial support

4) that parents require to allow their 4yr old more time in an EY setting. Please speak to us if you need more information on the benefits of deferral, and the urgency to support this group of children and families.

5) this is normally an extremely stressful time for parents and their children, please consider them and the positive difference you could make to reducing the growing inequality gap and improving the health outcomes for these children (and their families). Thank you