Playbus is a lifeline

show leadership and walk, cycle, bus and train more. That way our transport system will certainly improve. It would also become more sustainable, instead of being a major contributor to climate change.

It would be good to see the Observer contributing to this change of culture, rather than appearing to pillory some good examples of what our politicians should be doing in this climate emergency.

Bridget Clark, Dunblane I have read with keen interest in the October 2 edition of the Observer articles relating to early childhood provision within Stirling Council area.

Firstly, regarding the playbus renewal. I remember when it was decided that this very valuable resource would not be replaced, there was an outcry from parents and communities at the time. This was not listened to which is not surprising as council officers often ride roughshod over any opinions that do not coincide with their dismantling strategy.

It gave me great hope that members of the children and young people committee took the officers to task for not presenting them with an action plan and options.

The playbus has always been a lifeline for rural and urban communities over the past two decades, for its ability to support outdoor as well as indoor provision. Experiencing learning beyond usual educational environments is important for all children and supports the thesis that ‘ learning takes places within and beyond a designated educational space’.

Secondly, also read with interest the proposal to merge Baker Street Nursery and Allan’s Primary School. Again, it is in line with the ideology that council officials are peddling across the early childhood estate in Stirling Council. I believe there is no sound educational reason for merging this nursery and school. This ‘shared headship’ approach between a nursery and a primary school was introduced, as it has been in other stand-alone nurseries, where a primary school is nearby. Those in early years’ settings who have a management role have, over a 10 to 15-year period, been required to take either a degree in early childhood practice or an SVQ level nine with a similar subject content.

Even before taking these extra qualifications, they have an expertise that most, if not all, primary school heads do not have. Upon completing these extra qualifications for which extra pay was not given, they are expected to listen to primary heads for advice that they are not qualified to give. So the educational reason supports the view that the person with the most relevant qualification should be managing the nursery and that is the head/manager of Baker Street Nursery. Further, it is well recorded and known in early childhood circles that best practice is demonstrated much more widely in stand-alone settings than it is in nurseries within schools. This stands to reason as the person responsible for the provision is not qualified to implement and develop it since his/her expertise lies elsewhere.

On a more positive note, I was delighted to read in the Observer of September 27, 2019, that councillors told officials to think again over the proposal to merge Croftamie and Drymen nurseries. Though, from what I could understand, it was because of budget considerations rather than those related to sound educational reasons. It might be worth recording here that discussions and plans to extend this nursery have been around for a long time but there was a lack of funding to do it. This raises the question: why was this option not pursued before going for a new- build at Drymen Primary which would always have been much more viable financially?

In conclusion, it would be my respectful suggestion that councillors on the children’s and young people committee continue to scrutinise the work of the officers involved in any decisions of this kind that they bring forward in the future.

Pat Wharton, By email

line or in poverty, it is an absolute outrage that our elected representatives are living in the lap of luxury at our expense. With only 18 months to go until the next Scottish Parliament election, I would encourage all to vote them out when you are next given a chance.

M Brown, Baker Street, Stirling