Parents critical of extension plan at nursery

PLANS to expand a Perthshire school’s nursery, effectively turning the playground into a construction site for several months, have been criticised by parents.

Per th and Kinross Council i s preparing for work at Rattray Primary.

The new-look nursery will accommodate scores of extra pupils and aims to offer more support and flexibility for families.

But parents are unhappy the extension will result in the loss of part of the playground. There are fears pupils could be kept indoors during the ninemonth construction phase.

The parent council has stressed it welcomes an extension to the nursery, but said the council had handled the move badly.

A statement by the group said the new building will “bisect the playground, significantly reducing t he space for children.

“The playground is already quite small and it is a facility we really can’t afford to lose any of,” it added.

A spokeswoman said:“As a parent council, we are horrified and frankly furious about this because it has been suggested that while building work i s taking place, all the children will be confined to the school for nine months and won’t be able to play outside.

“We find this unacceptable. With a f urther 200 homes being built in Rattray, the school roll is going to increase. Reducing t he playground seems crazy.”

The parents’ body has urged council bosses to explore alternatives, including creating a two-storey block in the P1 area, or putting the nursery at the nearby community centre.

A council spokeswoman said: “The reconfiguration and extension will provide additional space and more flexible areas.”

The school is considering a range of options to ensure children can still get outside, i ncluding use of nearby Davie Park, she said.