'We weren’t prepared to see families having to choose between working and looking after their children, especially during the current cost-of-living crisis'
Parents rally to open new community nursery in Duns after private provider pulls out
Last updated 3rd Apr 2023
When parents learned the operators of a private nursery in the Borders planned to close, it came as a "huge blow".
Not only did the move put 16 staff jobs at risk, it also left some mums and dads facing a choice between working themselves or looking after their own children.
But locals have rallied round and set-up their own not-for-profit venture.
And Duns Community Nursery, which has taken over the lease of the same building - opposite the Jim Clark Museum - from Berwickshire Housing Association, opens its doors for the first time today (Monday, April 3rd).
Director Nicky Seed, herself a mum-of-two, told Greatest Hits Radio: "This is the only registered nursery providing for under 2s in Duns, so there wasn't really any alternative in place.
"We were faced with having to travel to either Berwick, or Melrose, or possibly Dunbar, to find alternative nursery provision - that's a 40 minute drive away. So, obviously it would have a huge impact on working parents' lives.
"When we first heard the news about the nursery closing, we asked our committee members and staff if it meant that they would either lose their employment or have to give up employment through not being able to find suitable childcare. And we worked out the economic impact of all those salaries would be just under £800,000.
"So, for that amount of money to leave the Duns economy would have been disastrous.
"And that's not even counting other parents, over and above just our committee members. It was going to affect at least 39 families in the local area."
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Staff at Links Nursery had been told by their East Lothian-based employer the Borders early years facility was no longer viable ahead of its closure on Friday (March 31st) - leaving many distraught.
But more than 30 volunteers spent the weekend renovating it. And, with support from a number of public and private donors - including the National Lottery, Rotary Club and local windfarm funds - as well as a local architect and designer, they hope to transform the nursery inside and outside, with a new nature theme.
It will run as a not-for-profit community interest company, led by staff and parents, and provide nursery provision for children up to the age of five-years-old.
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Mrs Seed, who is praising the community for their support, said: “We weren’t prepared to see families having to choose between working and looking after their children, especially during the current cost-of-living crisis.
“A tremendous amount of hard work and determination, alongside unprecedented support from the local community and businesses, has helped us secure our new community nursery and we thank everyone for their support.”
Mid-Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley has added his support.
He said: “I’ve been so thrilled to see how an enthusiastic campaign group quickly became a community interest company which has now saved local jobs and safeguarded a vital local service.
"If Berwickshire is to thrive, local facilities like high quality childcare are vital. Duns Community Nursery are a brilliant example of my constituents working hard to make this a great place to live, work and invest."
And he added: "I wish them the best of luck and will continue to help in any way I can, their efforts are truly inspiring and deserve support."
Are you involved in a community project you'd like to champion on the radio? Email our reporter: ally.mcgilvray@bauermedia.co.uk