Evelyn Tweed MSP speaks on cuts to provision in Killin nursery in Holyrood
Killin nursery was, until recently, one of the few council nurseries providing care for 0-2 year olds in the whole of Stirling. However, in March’s budget, this provision has been cut by the Labour Conservative administration. There was no prior consultation with the community and families only found out about the cuts as they tried to apply for places.
Alternatives are few and far between, with the nearest council nursery is an hour away by car and hard to access by public transport. Private alternatives are costly, far away, and most are already full. This poses enormous challenges to families who rely on accessible childcare in order to go back to work.
The comprehensive childcare offering in Killin also drew in many young families who contribute a great deal to the community. The local pharmacy has seen vital staff rely on 0-2 provision in the nursery, local families who fill vital roles are being forced to move away.
Killin and surrounding communities are facing losing young families, and many are concerned that this will have a knock on effect on numbers in the local primary school in years to come.
Local parents have been campaigning to reverse the cuts this provision. Recently, they met with Council leader Chris Kane.
Toni Dowling from Killin Community Council said:
“Stirling Council’s decision to axe the 0 – 2 year old nursery provision at Killin Nursery as part of their annual budget cuts is having a devastating impact on residents not only in Killin itself but all the nearby villages that the nursery served.
“The nearest alternative offering 0-2 childcare is a council nursery in Stirling, a one hour drive from Killin, leaving young families With no choice but to move away from the area.
“The decision to cut the service was made with no prior consultation with the community and the council’s own Equality Impact Assessment highlighted that it would be detrimental to the communities served by Killin Nursery. In the making of this decision, it is clear that the council do not serve us, and the needs of our community have been overlooked.
“We’re grateful to Evelyn for raising this issue however we now need to see resolution to prevent further loss to our village.”
Speaking in the debate Evelyn Tweed MSP said: “Opportunities for socialisation are key to the healthy development of babies and children. Without any baby groups or soft play areas within reasonable distance, the Killin nursery provides a crucial regular space for socialisation. Research from Health Scotland has found that children in quality non-parental childcare have better vocabulary acquisition and social development at age three. With provision being cut, rural children risk being left behind. Without the opportunities that access to childcare affords parents, entire communities will be left behind too.
“The Royal Society of Edinburgh found that in rural areas even ‘small changes can threaten the sustainability of local provision.’ In Killin we are seeing cuts that are – in financial terms – relatively small having a profound detrimental effect on entire communities. With other key services that are under the purview of the council, such as a crucial local bus route, under threat, we must fully consider how we work with local authorities to ensure the needs of rural communities are heard, understood, and embedded in policy.”
Evelyn Tweed MSP has written a letter to Natalie Don, Minister for Children and Young People highlighting the issues Ms Tweed had raised in the debate and seeking a response from the Government.
