Councillor Thomas Heald is a Scottish Conservative councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan and political advisor in the Scottish Parliament.
As a councillor and advocate for community-led policy, I believe the future of Scottish Conservatism lies in proving that we are the party of families, of opportunity, and of practical solutions to the problems faced by thousands across our country. From personal experience as a father of two young children, nowhere is that need greater than in Early Years education.
The SNP’s centralised, bureaucratic approach to education has failed to lift standards or close the attainment gap. What Scotland needs now is a more human, child-centred vision—one rooted in evidence, family values, and international best practice.
Our approach should always focus on child-centred learning and, yes, we should be looking around the world for successful models and not afraid to be radical in our approach. Rushing children into formal education is clearly not having the desired effect, particularly when that education has been consistently undervalued by a nationalist agenda which has pushed people down to a common denominator.
Children under the age of six are naturally curious about the world around them and would benefit immensely from that space to explore. Children should be allowed to be children and do what children do best, play. In my own ward, I’ve seen first-hand how creative, flexible environments empower young minds and bring families closer to the learning process.
As Scottish Conservatives, we have spoken about the need for greater focus on the three r’s, reading, writing and arithmetic and these undoubtedly still hold importance in formal education later on in a child’s development. However if a child is not resilient, emotionally intelligent and has the ability to collaborate, then how will a world that increasingly prizes adaptability be a place that they can thrive?
Putting families first is one of the founding Conservative principles, it is time to be louder in promoting policies which do just that. Parents aren’t just spectators in their child’s learning journey—they’re partners. Through regular workshops, accessible resources, and community involvement, empowering parents across Scotland to be active participants in their children’s early education can only be beneficial to a child’s development. Strengthening families isn’t just good policy—it should be the moral centre of our vision.
Finally, we must support the backbone of the system—our educators. We should be committed to high standards, ongoing training, and a renewed focus on child development. Just as we demand high expectations for pupils, we must ensure our teachers are empowered to meet them.
Scottish Conservatism must be about more than opposition—it must be about optimism, solutions, and a vision for the future. In early years education, we have a unique opportunity to lead with conviction, compassion, and common sense.
As we rebuild trust with voters and redefine our purpose, let us begin where all learning begins—with our youngest citizens. The future of Scotland starts not in the debating chamber, but in the classroom.
