Plans to mothball Borders nurseries 'a direct attack' on rural communities

Scottish Borders Council has unveiled plans to mothball SEVEN nursery schools in the coming year, in a bid to save around £400,000.

Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Ednam, Fountainhall, Walkerburn, Westruther and Yetholm are all said to be operating at half their capacity or less, and within seven miles of a suitable alternative.

But some of those against the move claim the plans discriminate against families without access to a car and, in some instances, concerns have been raised over what it could mean for the viability of neighbouring primaries.

Further reports have also been ordered into the long-term future of Sprouston nursery, which has been mothballed since 2021; and Glendinning in Galashiels - where children have been temporarily moved to neighbouring schools, after a health and safety issue was identified with the fire escape.

However, papers being presented to councillors ahead of a meeting of the local authority's Executive committee on Tuesday (April 15th), recommend nurseries in Newcastleton, Gordon, Coldingham and Broughton - where concerns had also been raised over low numbers - are allowed to continue to operate after the summer holidays.

This is in part due to increased numbers enrolled and concerns over the distance to the nearest suitable alternative.

Paul Fulton is a parent at Channelkirk, where more than 400 people have signed a petition to save the nursery. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "This is a direct attack on rural nurseries.

"We believe that Channelkirk, and a number of the other nurseries, don't meet the criteria for mothballing, which should be reserved for a setting where enrolments have fallen to a level of zero or very low. We have eight children enrolled for next year, which is the same total we have for this year.

"The whole process has been truly awful from the very start, with a complete lack of transparency and accountability from the council."

And he added: "We call on all elected councillors to throw these proposals out of the window, and make Scottish Borders Council conduct a fully transparent process in future years, with prior consultation."

According to Scottish Borders Council, Channelkirk is five miles from two nurseries in Lauder.

It has also highlighted concerns around "limited changing facilities for children, no staff toilet provision and some issues relating to damp and humidity in temporary units" at the site in Oxton.

Local Conservative MP John Lamont has voiced his opposition to the plans, which are being proposed by a Conservative-led administration.

He said: "I've made very strong representations to the council, the councillors and also the officials, I think this is the wrong choice to make.

"At a time when we want to attract more young families to the Borders, closing nurseries sends out completely the wrong message."

He added: "These proposals should be dropped immediately. They have not been properly considered and the lack of discussion with parents has been disappointing."

It's anticipated the proposed shake-up of early years provision, together with falling attendance, could mean the loss of the equivalent of 39 full-time members of staff.

The report from the council's Director of Education and Children’s Services, Lesley Munro, states: "Before a final decision is made on any of the settings proposed for mothballing, a short period of consultation will be undertaken to allow those affected by the proposed changes to have a say on the impacts.

"It is expected that these consultations will allow parents to discuss both 1:1 with the headteacher and to meet as a group with officer representation."

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