Ayrshire college's Kilwinning Campus Nursery to close despite it being amongst the top five in Scotland

Ayrshire College’s Kilwinning campus nursery for staff and students was shortlisted in Nursery Management Today Magazine’s Scottish Nursery Awards for its excellent standard of childcare.

But in a statement issued by the college this week it has been announced the board of management has decided to pull the plug on it with the loss of six jobs.

The decision follows a review in 2013-14 which led to a consultation with staff, parents and trade unions to identify how the nurseries could be made sustainable.

A number of actions were agreed, however, the uptake of places and the financial performance of the nurseries have not improved.

The statement said: “Despite the best efforts of staff over the past year to increase the number of children being placed in the nurseries, the uptake continues to be below the level required to make the nurseries sustainable.

“The nursery in Kilwinning is operating at 23 per cent of its capacity. To be financially sustainable, at least 90 per cent of places need to be filled.

“The nursery will close at the end of the current semester in January 2016.” According to the college, the nursery has not been able to fill enough places to cover its costs since the college was created in August 2013 and has operated at a financial loss since then.

In 2014-15 this loss amounted to £186,000 and, based on the number of children using the nurseries this year, the loss is forecast to be £230,000 in 2015-16. In 2015-16, the college nursery was capable of supporting 73 children on a full-time basis but were able to fill just 37 full-time equivalent places, of which 20 were for the children of students.

The same overall budget would have been able to support 95 full-time equivalent places with childcare providers external to the college.

In 2013-14, the Board of Management made a commitment to nursery staff that, if the drive to increase demand for nursery places was unsuccessful, they would be able to access the same voluntary severance scheme offered to staff following the merger. The Board of Management says it will honour this commitment.

Vice Principal Jackie Galbraith said: “We know that the closure of the nurseries will be disappointing news for staff and students.

“Students will continue to receive childcare funding from the College and we will help them to identify alternative nursery provision for their children.

“We are working with local UNISON representatives to support staff through this period of change.

“We will work with our partners in the childcare sector in the coming months to make sure that vacancies which arise in other nurseries are highlighted to our staff.” Angela Alexander, President of Ayrshire College Student Association, said: “We will work with the college to ensure that students affected by the closure of the nurseries get the best possible support to identify alternative arrangements.” The move will affect six nursery staff.

But Councillor for Kilwinning Joe Cullinane says parents who are students are ‘concerned’. He said: “Without access to childcare many students wouldn’t be able to go to college and further their education. This decision is therefore very worrying.” “I have already been approached by parents, who use the college nursery, who are concerned that its closure, midway through the college year, may mean that they are unable to complete their course.” “The Kilwinning nursery isn’t the only one that Ayrshire College plan to close, the nursery at their Ayr campus is also planned to close but not until next summer.

“This at least offers the current students stability, knowing that childcare will be available to allow them to complete their course.” Mr Cullinane has written to the college asking them to reconsider their decision and keep the Kilwinning campus nursery open until the end of the college year. This will reassure students as well as providing the college and North Ayrshire Council more time to find a suitable solution to ensure that future students continue to have access to affordable childcare,” he added.

“If the college won’t keep the nursery operating until the summer then they must ensure that their current students aren’t prevented from completing their course due to the cost of childcare.

“I understand that the college will cover student’s childcare costs but I have been told that some local nurseries are asking students for an upfront deposit of up to £600.

“This shouldn’t be allowed to become a barrier to students finishing their course and I have therefore urged the College to ensure that they cover any upfront costs.” Tracey Dalling, UNISON regional organiser, added: “UNISON is fully aware of the difficulties faced by North Ayrshire College nursery school. It is a very difficult time for families who rely on this nursery and for the staff who work there. UNISON is heavily involved in supporting all staff, and we will do everything we can to help.”