Out of hours school clubs to have opening times cut in Badenoch and Strathspey
Highland Council is to close school age childcare ‘where it is no longer viable to operate’ as part of cost-cutting measures with Grantown and Aviemore primary schools amongst the first known casualties.
Education bosses have said the out of school clubs (OOSC) affected will be those with low attendance figures but has yet to confirm all the settings affected despite a request from the Strathy.
Working parents and carers who use the Grantown facility have said the cuts due to be implemented at the start of the next school year in August will cause huge headaches for them.
OOSCs see school staff supervising children in a classroom with children able to do their homework, crafts and playing, sometimes outdoors.
The operating hours at Grantown are to be cut from 8am-6pm to 8am to 4pm.
One upset parent, who did not want to be named, said: “Not all families have grandparents or non-working partners who are able to support their childcare needs.
“The council does not seem to fully understand the issues faced by people who do not have this luxury.”
The local authority is recommending that affected parents and carers in Grantown make alternative child care arrangements from 4pm onwards.
But according to some of those affected most that does not cut the mustard as there are very few registered childminders and alternative child care facilities in the local area.
The parent said: “Obviously no-one has checked if they have capacity – which they don’t.”
He added: “This has happened very suddenly and without any consultation – they appear to have culled the out of school provision at least at Grantown Primary School but I also believe elsewhere in the strath.”
Although low numbers are cited for the impending loss, the parent pointed out: “There has been no attempt by the council to find out from parents if they are even going to sign up (in August when there is a new in-take).
“They have no idea.”
He added: “I am assuming a priority for government is to get people into work but instead these reductions will mean people having to cut their hours or even give up work because there is no childcare readily available.”
Top Stories
-
FERGUS EWING: Review of Scotland’s two national parks is long overdue
-
Kingussie stars at the Royal Highland Show
-
WATCH - Aviemore doctor wins Highland Cross women’s title at first attempt
-
Crime surge sparks demand for Highland Council to call on John Swinney to deliver more police and better funding
Highlands regional MSP Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservative) has taken up the looming cuts to out of school clubs with the council.
He said: “The plan to reduce after school club operating hours at Grantown Primary School is causing deep concern for parents, especially for those who rely on this vital service and have based their working patterns on its continuing operation.
“I have therefore raised this matter with the Highland Council as a matter of urgency .”
Parents and carers were given ‘notice of change’ this past week in operating times for Grantown ELC (Early Learning and Childcare) and Grantown SAC (School Age Childcare) from this August.
The correspondence states: “Following an audit of childcare provision currently offered in Grantown Primary School, the decision to reduce the operating times has been confirmed which will see the service reduced from an 8am–6 pm service to an 8 am–4pm service to commence in August 2023."
The council apologised ‘for any inconvenience caused by this decision’, and provided a Care Inspectorate link to search for childminders in the area.
A Highland Council spokesperson told the Strathy: “In February of this year, members of the council’s education committee were asked to note the work taken forward by officers as part of the council’s ELC redesign.
“Some communities have been advised of a reduction in ELC hours for their settings, and closure of school age childcare where it is no longer viable to operate due to low numbers in attendance.
“The council has been actively engaging with ELC partners in the PVI (private, voluntary, independent) sector on the ELC redesign.
“The discussion with partners has been open, with a discussive format to understand some of the issues and challenges relating to ELC provision, and ideas around what some of the opportunities and actions to be taken forward would be.
“This work is ongoing and officers will continue to keep communities updated with any future changes to the provision at their local setting.”
The Strathy received confirmation from the council yesterday that Aviemore Primary School’s SAC would also be affected.
The spokesperson said: “Parents have been advised of the new hours for the Aviemore ELC to be from 8am to 3pm, and the breakfast club will continue.”
The local authority had been requested to supply a full list of ELC and school after-hours clubs in the region which will see their hours reduced.
What do you think? Will the reduced after school club hours affect you? Let us know in comments or by email to editorial@sbherald.co.uk
