Parents and children of the nurseries planned for closure paying price of previous poor planning and policy delivery by Council.
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, calls on West Lothian Council to revisit plans to close 9 early learning facilities across West Lothian and establish an independent review into the planning and provision of the extension of early years education and childcare.
West Lothian Council are proposing the closure of 9 early learning facilities including Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class, St Anthony’s Nursery Class, St Jospeh’s Nursery Class and Bathgate West Nursery Class, all in Ms Hyslop’s Constituency.
Commenting Fiona:
“I have been contacted by many parents who are concerned following the announcement of the Council’s proposals to close 4 nurseries in my Constituency, as part of plans to close 9 early learning facilities across West Lothian. This all at a time when families should be benefitting from flexibility and choice with the 1,140 hours funded early learning and childcare funded by the Scottish Government.
“West Lothian Council have ignored what parents told them in the original surveys about the provision of early learning facilities in the county in previous consultations on early learning provision across West Lothian.
“I am concerned that the parents and children of the nurseries planned for closure are paying the price for the previous poor planning and policy delivery in early learning and childcare by West Lothian Council.
“I have written to the Chief Executive of West Lothian Council to express my views on this decision and share the concerns of my Constituents.
“It is clear that this latest proposal needs to be revisited by West Lothian Council and I am also calling on the Council to undertake an independent review into the planning and provision of the extension of early years education and childcare as there are clearly continuing problems which are systemic and need reviewed. The review should consider the failure to listen and respond to the initial community surveys of need from parents, serious previous procurement practice issues, efficient use of public funds for Council nurseries infrastructure and staff planning and resources and Early Learning and Child Care wider stakeholder engagement. These are all issues I have previously raised in recent years with the Council.
“I will continue to update my Constituents on my work on this important issue.”
ENDS