Perth Nursery to Close Amidst Funding Challenges Perth Nursery, a long-standing childcare provider in the local community, has announced plans to close its doors at the end of June. This difficult decision was made due to ongoing funding constraints and rising operational costs. The nursery has been providing quality care and education to children in Perth for over 20 years. However, in recent years, it has faced significant challenges in securing sustainable funding, which has impacted its ability to maintain essential services. Despite exploring various options to address the financial situation, the nursery management has been unable to find a viable solution. With a heavy heart, they have decided to close the nursery on June 30, 2023. The closure will affect approximately 50 children and their families, as well as the nursery’s dedicated staff. The management is working closely with families to support them in finding alternative childcare arrangements during the transition period. Staff members have been informed of the closure and are being provided with support and guidance during this difficult time. The nursery management expressed their profound gratitude to the staff for their commitment and dedication over the years. The closure of Perth Nursery is a regrettable loss for the community. It represents the challenges facing many childcare providers across the country, who are struggling to operate sustainably amidst rising costs and insufficient funding. The management of Perth Nursery urged parents to be patient and understanding during this challenging time. They emphasized that the decision to close was made with the best interests of the children and staff in mind.Closure of Perth UHI Nursery AnnouncedClosure of Perth UHI Nursery Announced Perth UHI has confirmed the permanent closure of its nursery at the end of June 2024 due to financial unsustainability. Financial Challenges In April 2023, the college announced a £4 million deficit, leading to the proposed closure of the nursery and other services. Dr. Margaret Cook, Director and Chief Executive of UHI Perth, stated that the nursery’s financial sustainability had become unviable. Consultation and Opposition During the consultation process, various counter-proposals were considered, but the decision to close the nursery was made after careful deliberation. Students, parents, unions, and local politicians expressed their disappointment and concern. Staff Support and Alternative Arrangements Dr. Cook expressed gratitude for the staff’s patience and commitment. She assured that they will work closely with Perth & Kinross Council to support the transition of children to other childcare settings. Long-Term Sustainability UHI Perth emphasized the need for financial sustainability to ensure a viable future for the college. The difficult financial situation, including rising costs and funding pressure, necessitated the changes. Efforts to Avoid Redundancies Dr. Cook stated that the college will do everything possible to prevent forced redundancies through a Voluntary Departure Scheme. The collective consultation process has been completed, and individual consultations will follow. Petition and Union Response Over a thousand people signed a petition to keep the nursery open. Unison representative Jane Edwards criticized the decision, claiming that there were viable models to save the nursery and its jobs. She accused the university’s senior management of failing in their duty of care and actively working towards the destruction of an essential service.UHI Perth nursery will close at the end of June The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Perth nursery will close at the end of June. The decision was made after a review of the nursery’s operation. The review found that the nursery is not financially sustainable and that there is a lack of demand for the service. The nursery has been in operation for 10 years and provides care for children aged 0 to 5 years. It is staffed by a team of qualified and experienced childcare professionals. The closure of the nursery will result in the loss of 10 jobs. UHI Perth will work with the affected staff to support them during this transition. UHI Perth is committed to providing high-quality childcare and early learning services to the local community. The university will continue to offer a range of childcare and early learning services through its other nurseries in Perth and Kinross. The nursery will close on 30 June 2023.
