Bats hold up building work to expand Strathspey nursery
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The Scottish Government’s flagship programme for 1140 hours of early learning and care annually will be in place in all nurseries and playgroups in the strath when the new academic year starts.
Highland Council education officials have confirmed that the scheme is now in 92 per cent of all settings across the region, but is yet to start in several local facilities.
These include Grantown Primary School nursery, where building works have been delayed until next spring because of roosting bats.
But the council is reassuring affected parents that the 1140 hours will still be put in place when term starts in August.
Local Highland councillors were updated at the latest meeting of the council’s area committee on Tuesday on the rollout.
Abernethy Primary School in Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten’s Deshar Primary School and Carrbridge Primary School are already delivering 1140 hours.
Aviemore Primary School, Rosebuds and Cairngorm ELC, all in Aviemore, and Wild Willows in Kincraig, are also providing the 1140 hours. Gergask Primary School nursery in Laggan has three children enrolled receiving 1140 hours. But Kingussie Primary School will not be delivering 1140 hours until August due to staffing issues.
Newtonmore will also only start the 1140 hours from that date.
There will be two nursery rooms – one for English medium and one for Gaelic, with the works due to be complete this summer.
Local Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn said: “I am seeking a more detailed update on the bat issue at the Grantown nursery.
“However, we must ensure there is a commitment and no disruption to the delivery of 1140 hours provision from August for both children and parents there.
“The parents have demonstrated great patience and forbearance awaiting the addition in early learning hours.”
The plan to facilitate the 1140 hours at the Grantown nursery is for the canteen to move across the road to the main school building.
The vacated premises will then become part of an early years centre for P1 and nursery pupils.
A Highland Council spokesperson said “Following a survey, in line with planned development, evidence of bat roosts were found at Grantown Primary School. The council’s ecologist is planning to return in June, July and August to undertake further surveys.
“These will provide the necessary information to support an application for a licence for roost disturbance and relocation which will be applied for from the licensing body NatureScot.
“As a result building work is delayed until spring 2022 however, the nursery, along with all settings in the strath, remains on track to deliver 1140 hours for children from August 2021.”
The school building works had been scheduled to start last month.
* Highland Council has said it will soon be working with the Scottish Government on a new scheme to help develop healthy eating habits for tots.
The Scottish Government will fund, via the council, all pre-school children, toddlers and babies attending eligible settings for two hours or more per day, for one-third of a pint of milk or a specified alternative and a healthy snack of a portion of fruit or vegetables.
