Childcare shortage threat to community
Problem stops people moving to Pitlochry
Parents could be forced to leave their jobs due to the lack of childcare in Highland Perthshire, one mum claimed.
A mother in Pitlochry warned she may face that stark choice as a group of parents came together to hit out at the lack of childcare in the area.
They say there is a lack of childcare provision in Pitlochry, affecting young families in the town and in other parts of Highland Perthshire such as Logierait and Blair Atholl.
Ruth Alexander, who is a member of the parent council at Pitlochry High School, has two children at the school, aged 5 and 8, and another who is at university.
She said: “We would love to have an after-school club here because there is nothing. We are down to only two childminders in Pitlochry.
“There are no full-time out- Ruth Alexander with oldest son Oran Murphy
of-school spaces so there is actually now nothing north of Luncarty.
“And in the catchment, Blair Atholl now includes up to Dalnacardoch, so it is a very wide geographical area that is affected.
“There is a breakfast club in
Aberfeldy and Dunkeld but nothing after school or in the holidays.
“It is important to have childcare at the heart of the local community because of its impact on everyone’s travel time and family life.
“It is essential that children should be looked after as close to their homes as possible.”
Ruth continued: “It affects the whole community because people with primary age children are put off staying here because there is no childcare.
“The doctor’s surgery has difficulty retaining staff with families because of it.
“I work at the theatre and they are really understanding. My husband and I take it in turns to finish in the middle of the day to pick up the kids but that is not sustainable.
“We don’t have enough holidays between us to cover the school holidays.
“There is the odd activity day here and there but that’s not registered childcare and not full-time, which is what working parents need.
“It is really difficult and I can’t fathom how people can get through the holidays.”
Ruth said the group campaigning for childcare have passed on their grievances to Perth and Kinross Council, which has asked them to carry out a survey.
She explained: “We should have an outdoor kids club in the town. We are right in the middle of Big Tree Country and my kids are really happy outdoors and enjoy themselves most outdoors.
“We can’t just get something that has them in a room parked in front of a TV.
“With the October and Christmas holidays coming up, my work is not so busy but these things move really slowly.
“It is not far off until we get the summer holidays next year and one of us will have to give up work if we can’t find something.
“I am trying to set up this whole thing myself and, working full-time, there are not enough hours in the day.”
Two meetings are to be held at Pitlochry High School next week for those who need child care and those who may be able to offer childcare. They will be on Tuesday at 3.30pm and Wednesday at 7pm.