Clackmannanshire Council Online

Council Agrees Permanent ABC Nursery Closure

Council agreed the permanent closure of ABC Nursery in Alloa at a meeting today (24 June), after it was closed last year due to concerns that the condition of the building meant that the health and safety of children and staff could not be guaranteed.

The nursery building was closed in May 2020 because planned structural assessments were unable to take place due to lockdown.  The building was due to re-open in August last year, however due to extreme weather a decision was taken not to reopen the building to ensure everyone’s safety.

Children who previously attended ABC have moved to other Council or partner providers in Clackmannanshire and staff have been redeployed to other local authority ELC establishments.

Following the consultation report and the submissions of the Council on the reasons for closing the facility, an HM Inspectors of Education report concluded that:

• The council’s proposal is of clear educational benefit for children aged 2-5 years, and there will be greater choice and flexibility of ELC provision for those children.
• Improved learning environments, particularly outdoors will provide children with a wider range of experiences.
• Settings within schools or campuses will be able to provide enhanced transition arrangements for children starting school.
• There is the potential for greater opportunities for continuity in learning across the early level of Curriculum for Excellence when nursery staff and primary school teachers work closely together.

Inspectors also advised that the Council consider how it will inform parents of the availability of provision for children aged two years and under including those children who may have complex additional support needs.  This work will now be progressed by the Education team.

Cllr Graham Lindsay, Spokesperson for Education said: "While it is always sad when a building closes, I am pleased that the HM Inspectors of Education agree that the alternatives available for our youngest children in Clackmannanshire are extremely high quality and will offer them a wider range of experiences.

"We have invested significantly, with the support of the Scottish Government, to ensure that we have ELC facilities which offer children a wonderful range of learning and nurturing opportunities."

The formal consultation was required in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The online consultation also provided background information explaining the Council’s proposal to close ABC, including information on the scope of immediate works required to sustain the building as an Educational Facility in the short to medium term costing an estimated £1.242 million.

Council also agreed that the building is declared surplus to operational requirements.