Nursery to be axed
A lifeline nursery used by 100 families is to shut next month with the loss of 53 jobs.
The bombshell news was delivered last Wednesday to staff that Aspire2Access Childcare Services, based in the John Pollock Centre, Ayr, will be axed on March 29.
On Thursday, shocked parents learned about the closure of the facilitiy in Mainholm Road that provides affordable care to 169 children.
A lifeline nursery used by 100 families is to shut next month with the loss of 53 jobs.
The bombshell news was delivered last Wednesday to staff that Aspire2Access Childcare Services, based in the John Pollock Centre, Ayr, will close for good on March 29.
The following day shocked parents learned about the sudden closure of the facilitiy in Mainholm Road that provides affordable care to 169 children and allowed many parents to get back into work.
One source told The Post : “It’s devastating for the 53 young people who are now left on the dole and my heart goes out to them.
“And where are parents going to place their children while they go to work? “They have been left with no childcare. “The childcare provided by Aspire2Access was the cheapest in Ayr.
“The message to the council is where are families going to get affordable childcare?”
Ayr MSP John Scott said he has spoken with Aspire2Access and is seeking urgent discussions with national agencies to see what action might be taken to keep this service operating within the community.
“I know from speaking to parents who stand to be affected by this decision that the loss of the Childwatch service has come as a complete shock to them since it is a bedrock of the local community,” he added.
“With up to 200 children at risk of losing their childcare, along with 53 local jobs, the closure of Childwatch would cause enormous disruption to a large number of families across north Ayr and the wider community, and these are often families who will find it very difficult to either find new places for their children or to afford those places.”
It’s understood that some of the children could move to the Cherry Tree Early Centre in Dalmilling Drive, Dalmilling.
The source added: “They won’t be able to cope with the number of children at the John Pollok Centre.
“And how are some families to get there or further afield if they don’t have a car.”
A council spokesman said they were saddened to hear of Aspire2Access’ decision to close.
“This will be a big blow to the local community in north Ayr and we feel for all those affected, especially the children and families who will lose their early years’ provision and the staff who will lose their jobs,” he added.
“The council will do what we can, where we can, to support those affected – whether parents and families or employees of Aspire2Access – to help minimise the impact of the company’s decision on our people and places.”
John Reid, manager of Aspire2Access blamed a “change in the funding landscape” and “cash flow problems” for the closure and said that parents have been given several weeks’ notice.
He added: “We were initaily set up as a five- year project and were still here 25 later.
“During that time, we have supported 1000 jobs and hundreds of children.
“We would like to thank all our staff and parents over the years.”
It’s is devastating for the 53 young people who are now left on the dole and my heart goes out to them.