Aberdeenshire council withdraw out-of-school care provision
The decision made by the education committee comes despite backlash from parents.
Last updated 1st Feb 2024
Aberdeenshire councillors have voted to withdraw out-of-school care provision amid funding pressures and a decline in demand.
This includes breakfast clubs and after-school clubs provided by the local authority and at the moment just 15 out of 146 schools in the area offer the service, with around 350 children accessing it.
The education committee voted with an 11 to 6 majority to withdraw the out-of-hours care.
Councillors put it down to a decline in demand and financial pressures.
The decision comes despite backlash from parents, with some stating they moved to specific areas just to access the care.
Councillor Kevin Stelfox is opposed to the services being pulled - he described it as a "disappointing blow" for many families across the region.
The SNP Councillor for Mearns said: "Closing down the out of school care in Aberdeenshire is a devastating blow for families and staff right across Aberdeenshire. Families actually rely on this service in order to go to work in many cases or do other things.
"It's really leaving families high and dry to put it bluntly. There's no guarantee that private providers or third party providers will actually pick up the gaps in the service that's been left by Aberdeenshire Council."
Cllr Stelfox says he's received the largest amount of emails on just one issue in a number of months, explaining parents are worried about not having an alternative provision in place.
He continued: "They're anxious the service is being withdrawn and people - families- balance their life around balancing childcare, work and a number of things so it really is disappointing to feel that the service is being withdrawn and there's no guaranteed alternative for a provision for families."
It's understood the local authority will be in touch with families using the service.