Cumbernauld nursery faces axe

Staff and parents at Kildrum’s Family Learning Centre’s baby rooms learned this week that the council no longer intends to fund this customised additional support to parents — and that it will close in July.

The news has caused widespread shock at the facility - amidst claims that this is simply one cut too far.

Cumbernauld South councillor Paddy Hogg said: “I have emailed the council’s chief executive Paul Jukes to request a re-think over this decision — particularly because the council is receiving extra Government funds to bridge the attainment gap.

“The earliest years are the most crucial in influencing the outcome of education and I feel this decision is retrogressive.”

A council spokesman responded: “Senior officers have already met with Family Learning Centre heads to discuss an implementation plan to ensure that families continue to be supported during this period of transition.”

He also stated that childminders and mainstream nurseries would be flagged up as an alternative to the existing set up at the centre.