Nursery support

Sir, I speak with the authority of one with 37 years’ experience in primary teaching with additional qualifications in infants and nursery. I was in the forefront of nursery education in primary schools in Ayrshire and trained nursery nurses when head teacher at Springside Primary School.

The few designated nursery schools then were staffed by qualified nursery nurses and a head who was a qualified teacher.

Prior to that there were ‘day nurseries’ which were not educational establishments, run by social work. They provided care for children from birth to school age.

There were childminders and playgroups, all of whom, by law, had to be registered and for which the parents had to pay.

Children were registered to attend school according to their date of birth and provided that they were considered ‘ready’ i.e. out of nappies.

I welcomed the provision of nursery education for all four-year-olds as an opportunity for children to socialise. I am impressed with what I have seen here at Corrie School and on the mainland. I know how tiring it is for three-year-olds and can’t imagine how two-year-olds can cope!

I regret that Brodick Nursery, which does a splendid job in difficult circumstances, may have to close with the loss to three- and four-yearolds of good educational experience.

Could North Ayrshire consider provision of a Portacabin similar to that formerly at Corrie, based, say, in the grounds of Brodick Primary School and provide for the children there what is available to others elsewhere on the island.

This is a cause which must be supported.

Yours,

Elma Stevenson, Sannox.