SENIOR council figures insist the local authority is still 'well prepared' for a major expansion to free childcare after the Scottish Government extended the flagship policy's deadline.

The council had been getting ready to deliver 1,140 hours of funded childcare per year to all three and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds, in four months.

But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ministers have announced local authorities will no longer be legally obliged to start delivering the extra provision by August.

Municipal Buildings bosses say they were on course to meet that date but added it was the right decision to delay the expansion for now.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “It’s sensible in the current climate that the deadline for expansion of early years provision has been suspended.

“Everyone’s priority right now is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus public health emergency.

“While the rollout of such a huge early years expansion is not without its challenges, here in Inverclyde we are in good shape ahead of the original August deadline.

“While the council remains well prepared for the expansion, we will have to wait and see what the coming weeks and months bring as the effects of the pandemic become clearer.”

Alongside building the new £2.5m Glenpark Early Learning Centre in the west end of Greenock, the council has injected almost £6m into extending existing nursery facilities and introducing new ones across Inverclyde.

Education bosses say they were on track to hire the required number of staff for the expansion, but admitted this process could now be delayed due to the virus.

Council leader Stephen McCabe, who is also the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) spokesman for children and young people, has issued a joint statement with government minister Maree Todd following news of the delay.

It said: "Our commitment to delivering the expansion, and to making sure our children have access to the best support and opportunities for development in their early years, remains undimmed and our partnership working will continue with that aim.

"However, in these exceptional circumstances it is not realistic to expect that local authorities can deliver their original expansion plans to secure high quality experience for all children in time for August this year.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has made it impossible to continue with the planned recruitment and infrastructure projects required to support expansion.

"Once there is a clearer picture of the impact and duration of the pandemic response measures, we will work together to agree the right time to reinstate the statutory requirement."