Businesses urged to support fundraiser to 'save' Lochinver pre-school
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A GROUP of parents have embarked on an urgent fundraising drive to ensure a north-west Sutherland nursery reopens at the start of the new school year.
The Lochinver Pre-School Centre Association, a registered charity, is seeking to raise around £31,000 in order to carry out upgrading and renovation work necessary to enable the nursery to operate.
Now the association, which is formed from local parents, is calling on local businesses to get behind its fundraising drive and make sure the community retains the service, regarded as vital in attracting incomers to the area, which is suffering from depopulation and a shortage of workers.
An association spokeswoman said: “We are still in danger of losing the facility if we do not get the funds. Our hope is that some of our businesses will get on board and support us.”
An average of 10 children aged from two upwards attend Lochinver Pre-School, which is located in a purpose built building sited next to Lochinver Primary School and traditionally operates every week day during the school year.
The building is owned by the association which up until now has leased it to third sector early learning and childcare organisation Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) which provided the service.
However the association decided earlier this year that it wanted to transfer the running of the service from CALA to Highland Council.
“CALA did not have a manager on site and we felt it made sense to come under Highland Council,” said the spokeswoman. “We felt the staff would be better supported and the children better integrated into the wider school community. Highland Council were quite prepared to take it over.”
However for the transfer to be made, the service had to be re-registered with care provision watchdog the Care Inspectorate, and it became clear that that would not happen unless renovation work was undertaken.
“They wanted improved toilet and changing facilities and the heating system needed to be upgraded,” continued the spokeswoman. “Because Highland Council will be renting our building, it is up to us as parents to make that happen, working in partnership with the authority and the Care Inspectorate.”
The association was given an estimated quote of £31,000 to complete the necessary works and have contractors from poised to start work on July 17 - but they are still short of the funding required.
A crowdfunder has been set up and donations can be made here.
The spokeswoman said: “Historically we have held bake sales, dances and other events to raise funds. However, due to the time constraints to have the pre-school building ready for starting the new term in August, we need to raise the necessary funds as quickly as possible."
Despite the shortfall, the general feeling among association members is that the work should begin with hopes high of further money coming in - and of getting business support.
“We just feel this is so important. I know that other similar establishments are closing. We just feel that childcare and early learning education is so important if we want to keep our community viable," said the spokeswoman.
