Parents hit out over nursery funding blow

Kidsplay on Lenzie Road in Kirkintilloch has been told an application for vital cash has been refused due to an administrative error by the nursery.

Happitots Nursery on Colston Drive in Bishopbriggs has also been told by the council it is to lose funding.

Shocked parents of kids at both nurseries found out after receiving letters.

Two petitions on website change.org by owners Bertram have amassed hundreds of signatures.

One concerned parent who works full-time said: “I drop my four-year-old daughter at Kidsplay at 7.30am to get to work on time.

“This nursery is the only one near me that provides the hours I need and my daughter is happy there. It’s a disgrace funding has been withdrawn due to a small clerical error. “

Graeme Scott, CEO of Bertram Nursery Group, said: “We are extremely disappointed. We believe the decision to cut funding because of the absence of a single signature ignores the outstanding services provided by Kidsplay and the commitment of parents and staff to high standards.”

He said the nursery group had moved to lodge a legal challenge, but hoped it could be sorted amicably and sensibly without going to court.

He added: “Parents can be reassured this will not affect their child’s school placement, their education or any other aspect of the services we provide. We have been overwhelmed by their support.”

Gordon Currie, director of education at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “We understand the concern of parents and everyone associated with Kidsplay and Happitots.

“As part of a formal tender process we invited bids for the provision of services for Early Learning and Childcare.

“The council followed the required procedures when assessing these and other tenders for awarding early years’ partnership contracts.

“The council’s Early Years and Childcare Team will work with parents to offer alternative early learning and childcare options for their child within local authority or partner providers.”