The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Parents’ fears over childcare shortage crisis
PITLOCHRY: Families set up their own kids’ club
A childcare crisis in Highland Perthshire has forced parents to set up their own kids’ club – or lose their jobs.
Childminder places are so scarce in Pitlochry and the surrounding area that parents have warned they will have to give up work if new arrangements are not in place by the summer holidays.
Families have taken matters into their own hands and are trying to set up a kids’ club for the holidays, as well as before and after school.
Mother-of-three Ruth Alexander said: “We have been juggling picking the children up at school and dropping them off between us but if we don’t have something sorted by the summer I will have to give up work – that’s how serious it is now.”
SNP councillor Mike Williamson said the parents were addressing a vital issue in Highland Perthshire.
“A lack of childcare options has been a barrier to employment and also to families moving to the area,” he said.
Highland Perthshire parents are having to take childcare into their own hands in order to head off an employment crisis.
After-school places are so scarce in Pitlochry and the surrounding area that at least one mother behind the scheme has said she will have to give up her job in the summer to look after her children.
Families have formed a board to establish the Den at Heartland Kids’ Club.
The aim is to offer childcare before and after school, as well as during the holidays, once funding and staff have been secured.
It is hoped the club will be based at Pitlochry High School, although council bosses have been consulting on plans which could lead to its closure.
The board has also been given permission to use nearby Faskally Woods for outdoor activities.
Ruth Alexander, one of the mothers behind the plan, said either she or her partner, Roger Sutton, will have to leave their jobs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre if the club is not up and running before the summer holidays as both of the town’s childminders are full.
“Childcare has been a struggle for me since my oldest, who is now at university, was young,” she said.
“Since my childminder closed last year we have been juggling picking the children up at school and dropping them off between us, but if we don’t have something sorted by the summer I will have to give up work, that’s how serious it is now.
“Even if we never have holidays at the same time, we still don’t have enough leave between us to cover the seven weeks they are off school.”
The board, made up of seven parents and Highland Perthshire SNP councillor Mike Williamson, hopes to have a breakfast club in place by Easter, but is waiting for registration with the Care Inspectorate for the after-school and holiday clubs.
Ruth added: “I hope we can get the staff we need in time.
“I know there is a recruitment problem, but is the reason there is a recruitment problem because there is no childcare? It’s a catch 22.
“All of our trustees have full-time jobs so it is a lot of work, but we are getting there.”
Mr Williamson said: “From speaking to families within my ward, it’s clear that a lack of childcare options has been a barrier to employment and also to families moving to the area.
“The kids’ club is a really positive and important step in addressing this issue.”
The idea was also welcomed by Perth and North Perthshire MSP John Swinney.
“This scheme, in addition to offering fun and excitement to children, will provide significant support to local families,” he said.
Even if we never have holidays at the same time, we still don’t have enough leave between us to cover the seven weeks they are off school. RUTH ALEXANDER