The first baby boxes of 2018 will begin to be delivered today to expectant families, in preparation for the arrival of some of the first babies of the new year.
At a distribution centre in Leith, Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd helped to pack and prepare the contents of these new baby boxes, where she also confirmed that, early next year, Scottish small-and-medium-sized-enterprises will be able to bid for the contract to provide the contents of the box.
Ms Todd said: “It feels very special to be packing up baby clothes, thermometers, scratch mittens and other extremely useful items for some of our very first new-borns of 2018. The baby box demonstrates that as a society we value each and every child born in Scotland and want to give them all an equal start in life.
“Following a very successful first year in 2017, with 77% take-up, more than 22,000 boxes delivered and high parent satisfaction with the contents, we want to continue to build on this in 2018.
“That is why, now the baby box scheme is more fully established, we can start to make improvements to develop the economic as well as the social benefits.
“I very much hope Scottish businesses will embrace the opportunity to bid for the contract to provide some of the contents of Scotland’s baby box next year.”
A market engagement and tendering process will be undertaken later this year, providing opportunities for organisations, including Scottish small and medium sized enterprises, to provide the contents for the box. The invitation to tender for Year Two will open in early 2018.
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