“I am deeply disappointed in West Lothian Council’s decision to close four early learning centres in my Constituency. Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class, St Anthony’s Nursery Class, St Joseph’s Nursery Class and Bathgate West Nursery Class will all face closure this summer.
“Parents across my Constituency have contacted me to share their concerns about these closures, which are taking place at a time when parents should be benefiting from flexibility and choice as the Scottish Government are funding 1140 hours of early learning and childcare, saving the average family £5000 per eligible child.
“West Lothian Council have not listened to what parents told them in the original surveys about the provision of early learning facilities in the county, in previous consultations, and ignored parents in this latest closure consultation.
“When these plans were initially announced I called on the Council to undertake an independent review into the planning and provision of the extension of early years education and childcare. I am concerned that this has not taken place and parents are now faced with losing these essential childcare and early learning facilities. Some of these nurseries serve communities where families face the highest level of poverty, and they need more local support and services not less.
“It is unacceptable that the parents and children of these nurseries are paying the price for the poor planning and policy delivery in early learning and childcare by West Lothian Council.
“Following my previous correspondence to the Chief Executive of West Lothian Council on this matter, I have written again to express my views on this issue and will update my Constituents when I have received a response.”
ENDS