West Lothian mum fears for children with additional needs amid 'nursery closure'
A West Lothian mum is concerned a vital community nursery that supported her children with additional support needs (ASN) could be closed.
Gillian Hemmings had both her boys Harris, six, and now Eddie, four, attend Linlithgow Bridge nursery.
The 41-year-old stay at home mum said the environment at the early years provider was fantastic for her children’s needs and offered a seamless transition for ASN kids about to attend the attached primary school which shares the same building.
READ MORE: Edinburgh man caught by vigilante group after sending sick messages to 'schoolgirl'
READ MORE: Edinburgh mum launches soap empire from spare bedroom after quitting corporate job
But West Lothian Council named the nursery among nine others in a list that earmarked early year providers for closure due to ‘oversupply’ concerns.
Although no decision has been made, the local authority is set to carry out consultations as they look to address whether certain community nurseries are economically viable.
Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Both of Gillian’s children will be at primary school by the time any potential closure takes place but she fears other parents in her position may be forced to put their children into ‘overcrowded’ nurseries which will be detrimental to ASN children who struggle with sensory overload.
However the local council has argued they have enough space to adequately care for ASN children at nearby nurseries if closures in the area go ahead.
“My sons are both autistic and to be able to attend a smaller scale nursery, attached to the school and close to where we live, is really important,” Gillian said. “They thrive on routine, structure and a quieter environment.
“Linlithgow Bridge offers this and it’s more of a ‘family’ feel as a nursery. The staff there are very close knit - some having been there since the nursery opened in 2002.
“Although your child is allocated a ‘key worker’ when they start, due to the size of the nursery, each staff member is very aware of each child’s needs and everyone is fully involved. Due to this, my sons are and have thrived at the nursery.
“The most important aspect of this nursery - for all children, not just ASN - is that it is attached to the primary school so when it comes to starting P1, the transition is helped by physically being in the same building as the school. My eldest had - and my youngest will have - an enhanced transition, which includes frequent visits to the lunch hall which can be a challenging thing for some autistic children; time in the classroom and in the playground - all prior to starting.
“Teachers are also very visible day-to-day, which helps massively as they are much more familiar when it comes to starting school.”
Gillian accepts nurseries in Linlithgow have ‘excellent’ reputations but she is concerned if nurseries like Linlithgow Bridge close, then there could be severe pressure placed on the existing services.
“Bigger nursery group sizes plus more noise and more demands would be a challenge for most autistic children. Also not having the on-site transition from nursery to school, isn’t beneficial for any child, let alone an autistic one.
“It’s really sad and disappointing. We are in a more fortunate position than some others in that our younger son will have finished nursery by the time the proposed closure happens.
“I really feel for the children who have just started this year and will have to uproot to another nursery halfway through their time there. The proposed closure just doesn’t make sense.
“Linlithgow Bridge offers such a lovely close-knit family environment, where children can thrive in the beautiful outdoor space, or indoors, with staff who take the time to get to know each child, and in turn, their families. To be able to transition easily on-site to primary school is vital and will be a huge loss to the community if the closure goes ahead.
“There is a consultation at the school on October 2, where parents hope to have more answers, but the council hasn’t been clear at all on what savings will be made by closing this nursery.”
The council stated they do not go into the specifics of individual nurseries earmarked for closure but a document on their website claims an alternative location, located less than a mile away, has the capacity to take on an extra 81 children if Linlithgow Bridge were to close.
They argue a ‘huge oversupply’ issue at certain facilities is being caused by population changes which is reducing demand for spaces in many council nursery and childcare facilities.
They added parents are also choosing to use the new Scottish Government ‘funding follows the child’ support to place their children in private nursery provision or with childminders.
The council claims at present they have an oversupply of 2,017 places - 30 per cent more than what is needed to meet demand.
Head of education at the local authority, Greg Welsh, argued even with the potential closure of nine nurseries, the council would still have more than enough capacity to meet demand.
Executive councillor for education, Andrew McGuire said: “Plans to close nine nurseries have not been approved, but the education executive has approved plans to begin consultation with parents and stakeholders on the planned reduction of nine nursery and early learning buildings, given the high number of surplus spaces within council nurseries. The proposed changes would see a community based approach to nursery provision being put in place.”
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Leader of the council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “Councils receive 80 per cent of our funding from the Scottish Government so we have no choice but to reduce spending and reduce some services. This is a clear example where we can continue to deliver important services but also work much more efficiently.
“I appreciate some parents will not want to have their local nursery close but the council, like all councils, needs to change the way in which services are delivered and it is only right officers look at options to address the fact that we have 30 per cent more nursery space than is needed to meet demand.”
Officers confirmed facilities would not close until August 2025 if the plans were to be agreed.
The nine nurseries are listed as at risk of closure are:
• Deans North Nursery School
• Fauldhouse Nursery Class
• Glenvue Nursery School
• Ladywell Nursery School
• Linlithgow Bridge Nursery Class
• St Anthony’s Nursery Class, Armadale
• St Joseph’s Nursery Class, Whitburn
• Bathgate West Nursery School (currently an inactive service)
• Our Lady’s Nursery Class, Stoneyburn (currently an inactive service)