Scourie playgroup future in doubt

A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a small north west Sutherland playgroup.

Parents in Scourie are anxiously waiting to find out whether Highland Council will continue to support their playgroup.

The local authority funds the service which is provided by Inverness based charity, the Care and Learning Alliance (CALA).

Parents were informed out of the blue at the end of last month that the playgroup was to close, but following widespread dismay, the council has since agreed to take another look at the situation.

CALA’s Childhood Practice Manager, Fiona Munro, wrote to parents on 28 April stating that Highland Council would not be commissioning the provision at Scourie from August 2011.

Ms Munro claimed the move was due to the "low number of enrolments." It is understood only one child was registered to attend the playgroup in 2011/12. Numbers for future years are also low.

Ms Munro’s letter stated: "This means that as of 1 July the group will be closed and alternative arrangements for pre-school provision will have to be made by parents."

But following an outcry from parents and claims that the enrolment figures were erroneous, the Highland Council agreed to look at the issue again. Officials met with CALA on Tuesday.

CALA’s chief executive, Ann Brady, told The Northern Times on Wednesday: "Scourie and District Playgroup, like all centres across the Highlands, has been under review.

"We were at the point we thought we were down to only one child and we were beginning negotiations to see if it was appropriate to continue.

"We had a meeting with parents yesterday and there is now another enrolment.

"The decision is back with council officials."

Ms Brady added: "We are commissioned by the local authority to provide the service and we employ the staff."

A Highland Council spokesperson said: "There is currently only one child enrolled for nursery in the August term and we have just been made aware of the possibility of two others who may be entitled to nursery places over the next year.

"No decision has yet been made for the provision of nursery education in Scourie as the council is still assessing the situation."

Parents at Scourie were reluctant to comment this week pending a final decision.

But they were generally critical of the lack of warning and consultation regarding the closure.

One said: "Closing the playgroup would have a very detrimental effect on the entire village."

Another commented: "Yes, the roll at Scourie has fallen just now, but we have a lot of children due to start at various times in the next year.

"With the rising price of fuel, to expect parents to drive the 15 miles to Kinlochbervie or 27 miles to Lochinver is unbelievable when we have a perfectly good, if at the moment small, nursery in Scourie."

North, West and Sutherland councillor Linda Munro has become involved in the issue and has met with Jon King, Highland Council Head of Children’s Services.

She said: "I want to know how this happened in this way, who made this decision and why was the community not consulted or the councillors informed of any proposed withdrawal of services."