A NEW nursery featuring an indoor chute which leads to the playground is to open its doors next week. 

Lairdsland Early Years Centre, in Kirkintilloch, will also be equipped with playrooms, arts & crafts areas, and a “spacious mezzanine” for two to five year olds in the town. 

The hub will have space for 95 children and is the second of its kind to open in East Dunbartonshire this month. 

Andrew Polson, joint leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “You cannot fail to be impressed when you see the new centre and I am delighted that it is opening very soon.

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“The pandemic brought huge challenges for its construction so to see it fully equipped and ready for business is wonderful. 

“East Dunbartonshire has an excellent reputation for education and for high quality, flexible, accessible and affordable early years services. This and our other two new centres will enable us to build on that.

“My thanks go to everyone who has worked so hard to get us to this point and I wish the centre staff the very best of luck on their exciting new journey.”

As well as Lairdsland, a childcare centre opened in Milngavie this month and another is due to open soon in Bearsden. 

The three nursery hubs are part of the council’s commitment to deliver on the Scottish Government’s requirement for an additional 1140 hours of early learning and childcare. 

From August, all three and four-year-olds, as well as eligible two-year-olds in Scotland, will be eligible for the new allocation, almost doubling the original of 600 hours.

Vaughan Moody, joint leader of EDC,  added, “I believe it shows this council’s strength of commitment that we have delivered this project for the people of Kirkintilloch despite the many challenges faced. 

“I have no doubt that the families who will be using it will be thrilled with the experience their children will enjoy.

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“I want to put on record my thanks to our build partners who have shown great determination and have worked closely with the council’s Major Asset Projects Team, to make as much progress as possible while working with regard to evolving public health guidance.”

Chief executive officer of Hub West Scotland, Iain Marley, said, “The new Lairdsland early years facility is an innovative, sustainable and flexible learning environment that showcases East Dunbartonshire and hub West’s commitment to delivering high quality facilities that enrich and bring a range of benefits to our communities. 

“This investment in nursery and early years services will make a huge positive impact in children’s future.”