The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Nurseries take shape to fulfil hours pledge
Site visits to two new purpose-built early learning centres yield positive responses
Progress is being made on a pledge to make Angus “the best place in Scotland in which children grow, learn and thrive”.
A group of councillors and senior managers from Angus Council visited the busy sites of the two new purposebuilt early learning and childcare centres in Carnoustie and Forfar to see progress on the construction projects.
Both are scheduled for completion by the end of June 2020.
Kevin Dickson, managing director of Robertson Construction and Angus Council’s convener of children and learning committee Derek Wann led independent councillor Lois Speed and a group of local elected members and officials around the sites.
They were also updated on current stage of work.
Workers have been on site since October carrying out ground works and are now constructing the building superstructures.
The two new centres are part of Angus Council’s plan to meet the Scottish Government’s increase in early learning and childcare entitlement, from 600 hours of funded early learning and
“Iam delighted to see progress on the new sites at Carnoustie and Forfar which will cater for more than 350 children from next year. ANGUS COUNCIL LEARNING CONVENER DEREK WANN
the childcare to 1,140 hours from August 2020, for all three and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds.
The Carnoustie Centre at Pitskelly Park will provide for up to 205 children, while the Forfar Centre at Taylor Street will provide for up to 155 children.
Each building will have dedicated outdoor space.
Mr Wann said: “I am delighted to see progress on the new sites at Carnoustie and Forfar which will cater for more than 350 children from next year.
“These nurseries are part of our commitment to making Angus the best place in Scotland in which children grow, learn and thrive by providing highquality early learning and childcare so it’s great to see the progress that’s been made.”
Ms Speed, who is also vice-convener of children and learning, said: “These sites are really important for Angus as they will provide a great learning environment for children and a fantastic facility for staff and will ensure we can offer high-quality, flexible and accessible early learning and childcare the children of Angus deserve.”
Kevin Dickson from Robertson Construction said the company was proud to be delivering these new centres, with the facilities set to “fill a vital role in widening access to early education”.
Gary Bushnell, chief executive, hub East Central Scotland, said: “The construction programme continues on schedule and we look forward to managing the successful delivery of another high quality education facility for Angus Council that has been designed to meet the needs of the community for years to come.”