Closure-threatened Brora nursery is 'irreplaceable', parents tell education officials
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A MOVE by Highland Council to close the nursery class at Bora Primary School is not being driven by budget constraints, an education official has claimed.
Education officer Ian Jackson said a review of the provision for under-fives at Brora had found it would be "more effective" to transfer the nursery, under a service level agreement, to the nearby private children's day care centre Sutherland Stepping Stones, which is run by CALA.
He was speaking at a pre-consultation meeting held by the local authority at the primary school yesterday afternoon. Also present was area education manager Annika Jansson and early years commissioner Caroline Green.
He said: "Part of the job of Highland Council is to look at all our provision and see what is the best way to deliver services, so we came up with this idea."
The officials said merging the nursery into the day care centre would create "seamless provision".
There are currently around 13 four-year-olds attending Brora Nursery and Sutherland Stepping Stones is registered to provide a care service for a maximum of 30 children under the age of 16. It is anticipated it would have to be registered to provide care for a maximum 55 children should the plan go ahead.
Parents spoke highly of the nursery class, saying it prepared children well for the transition to primary school and expressed concern that Stepping Stones would not be able to offer places to all the children who needed them.
One said: "Brora Primary nursery is irreplaceable to us, our children and the community. We do not support anything other than the nursery remaining open for many years to come."
Commenting on the large turnout at the meeting, Mr Jackson said: "I am picking up a message that the majority of parents are not in agreement with closing the nursery."
A decision on whether or not to go ahead with the plan will be made by May. A formal consultation would take place if it is decided to proceed.
