Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
‘On track to deliver’ more nursery hours
JUDITH TONNER
Nursery youngsters in Airdrie and Coatbridge will now have expanded provision – nearly doubling their earlylearning hours – made available in the autumn term after all.
The planned launch of the national 1140 hours programme was to have been delayed by up to a year by the coronavirus pandemic, but North Lanarkshire Council now say that the authority is once again “on track to deliver” the increased preschool provision to all children by September.
Provision will first be made available to the children of key workers from the start of the new school year on August 11; and the programme is then due to be extended to all eligible children the following month.
Council officials say that the project is “subject to all settings complying with government rules, so they are safe as possible”, as well as having sufficient staffing levels and resuming work on the new nursery buildings which was halted in March as lockdown was implemented.
The under- construction facilities include family learning centres at Chapelhall and Petersburn. They are among nine new nurseries across North Lanarkshire where site works have resumed after being halted in March, while a further seven existing facilities will be adapted to increase their capacity.
Education convener Councillor Frank McNally stressed that the safety of children and staff is paramount, and said: “We know how important the 1140 hours programme it is for everyone involved and we have a clear plan in place which is set out in clear stages.
“These are extremely challenging times for everyone and the pandemic has understandably frustrated some of our plans to have the programme ready for August – however, we remain committed to delivering 1140 hours as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
“We fully intend to switch on the programme as soon as our facilities are ready, staff recruitment has been finalised and all facilities comply with the latest guidance from the Scottish Government.
“This will be based on our ability to implement arrangements which meet the national standards for phase three ( recovery), and subject to revised planning restrictions being in place.”
Free childcare is currently being provided during the summer holidays for vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers.
Nurseries and childminders are due to have more information on the increased hours for families when eligible children return to sessions in August; while the council says the rollout of lunch provision will also continue next month.
The 1140 hours launch – an increase from the current entitlement of 600 hours of funded pre-school learning – was put on hold in March by Scottish Government ministers.
Coatbridge North councillor Kirsten Larson told the Advertiser that she is “delighted” that the rollout is now set to go ahead in the new academic year.
She said: “I know that private partnership providers locally had real concerns about the delivery being postponed; and so many local jobs and further or higher education places will depend on the successful delivery of 1140 hours provision as planned.
“The commitment to deliver this extra provision can only have a positive impact on the economy and the undoubted resilience needed as we move forwards – although any progression will be dependent upon continued suppression of the virus.”