Parents express concerns over the impact of nursery closures on children with additional needs.
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In a passionate display of community spirit, parents in Aberdeenshire are fighting against the proposed closure of four rural nurseries: Crossroads, Ballogie, Glass, and Sandhaven. The local authority’s decision to mothball these facilities has sparked outrage among families who believe that the closures would severely impact children, particularly those with additional needs.
Concerns over children’s development
Parents have voiced their fears that moving their children to larger, under-resourced nurseries could hinder their development. Lindsay Love, a mother whose daughter Luna attends Crossroads Nursery, shared her concerns about the potential consequences of the closures.
“I have a soft place in my heart for kids with additional support needs because my eldest son Leo is autistic,” she explained. “The changes that happened with him within a month at Crossroads were just phenomenal. He is now a thriving pupil, and I worry that other children won’t have the same opportunity if these nurseries close.”
Similarly, Rhona Blackhall expressed her anxiety regarding her three-year-old daughter Fern, who has made significant progress in her speech since starting at Crossroads. “Fern struggled to speak before attending the nursery, but now her confidence has grown immensely. I fear that all of this could be taken away if she is forced to move to a larger facility where she may not receive the same level of support.”
Community response and council discussions
The emotional pleas from parents resonated during a recent council meeting, where the decision to mothball the nurseries was discussed. David Williamson, a parent from the Finzean and Ballogie communities, emphasized the hardships families would face due to the closures. He pointed out that the area is experiencing growth, with new houses being built, which could lead to increased demand for local nursery services in the future.
Williamson’s sentiments were echoed by fellow parent Petra Pennington, who argued that the nurseries are not just buildings but vital components of thriving rural communities. “These real human impacts are not captured in your assessment,” she stated, urging the council to consider the emotional and developmental needs of the children before making a final decision.
Balancing financial constraints with community needs
Education chief Laurence Findlay acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision but maintained that it was necessary for the long-term sustainability of educational services in the area. He cited data indicating a lack of demand for the nurseries, stating, “While I appreciate that the mothballing process is emotive and traumatic, it is essential to ensure the resilience of the council and the services we provide.”
Despite the council’s rationale, the emotional testimonies from parents have sparked a call for further consideration. Councillor Louise McAllister expressed her dismay at the situation, highlighting the distress and anger felt by families. “Surely there is a better way of working with our communities,” she urged, advocating for a more collaborative approach to address the needs of local families.
As the council prepares to make a final decision in June, the community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the nurseries will be saved, ensuring that children with additional needs continue to receive the support they require.
