'Disgraceful' plan to mothball Dunbeath nursery to be fought by parents
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Parents have vowed to fight a "disgraceful" plan by Highland Council to mothball the nursery at Dunbeath primary school.
A petition has been launched to try and get the decision reversed while politicians and the local community council have expressed concern about the proposal.
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone fears the council could be "misusing the mothballing process to impose a closure by stealth".
The plan came as "a huge surprise" to the Dunbeath Primary School Parent Council, which claims that no consultation was undertaken before the announcement was made. The parents and head teacher at the school were informed of the decision earlier this month and told the youngsters could be offered places at the nursery in Lybster – but that would involve an additional 160 miles of travelling each week.
Alexa MacAuslan, the secretary of the parent council, said no reason for the decision was given and no reopening date was mentioned.
She explained that a letter has been written to the council's head of education pointing out that "due process has not been followed" and stressing the nursery is "such an important part of the local community".
Mrs MacAuslan said: "Dunbeath nursery provides an excellent early years education setting where all children are looked after in a safe, secure and nurturing environment. Staff care for the children and tailor their learning opportunities to meet each child’s individual needs.
"Children have access to a wide range of learning opportunities including the use of a well-resourced outdoor learning playground. They thrive in the nursery and are familiar with all staff across both the nursery and the wider school setting, which allows them to enjoy a successful transition into primary one."
She is worried the close links between the nursery and primary school will be lost if the four children who are enrolled to attend Dunbeath Nursery in August 2023 are denied that opportunity.
The Berriedale and Dunbeath Community Council is also fighting the decision and held a public meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the mothballing proposal. A petition has been started to try and persuade Highland Council to reverse the decision.
Parent Ellie Sheales, who has enrolled her two-year-old son Ruaraidh in Dunbeath Nursery from August, feels she has been "left in the lurch with no option for him to join an early year’s education setting".
"It is disgraceful to deny rural children access to early years education based on where they live. I am now without childcare provision and this will prevent me from going back to work and being able to support the economy."
Mrs Sheales, who runs the Forse of Nature cafe, craft shop and guest house at Latheron, said: "As the owner of a small business this has been a challenging few years and this only adds to the pressure of being able to sustain a living and contribute to the local economy."
The parents point out that four children are enrolled in Dunbeath Nursery from August 2023, with a further two who will be eligible to join in the new year.
Mrs MacAuslan said: "There are further children in Berriedale and Dunbeath who will be eligible the following academic year so we do not feel that mothballing is appropriate. There is a strong case to keep the nursery open."
She explained that according to Scottish Government guidance, mothballing may be appropriate when a school roll falls to zero or is very low. However, it stresses that where some children remain in the catchment area, the decision should be taken in consultation with the parents involved.
"This consultation did not take place and the affected parents were only informed of the decision in early June," she added.
The parent council and the community council have raised their concerns with north MSPs and MP Jamie Stone and are "hopeful of a successful outcome".
Mr Stone said: "In this case, the mothballing process has been used incorrectly. Mothballing should be a consensual process between the local authorities and the community, so it is a shame to see a breakdown in the relationship.
"Because due process hasn't been properly followed here, I have deep concerns that the Highland Council are misusing the mothballing process to impose a closure by stealth. I imagine this would be the last thing parents in and around Dunbeath want for their children."
Highland Council has been contacted for a comment but had not responded as the Groat went to press yesterday.
