Two nurseries are closing at the end of term.

New College Lanarkshire (NCL) announced it will be shutting down its Coatbridge and Cumbernauld nurseries. 

Staff were told of the news this week as NCL faces significant financial challenges, following the most recent funding settlement which has resulted in real terms cut of around £4.3m in the next financial year. 

In the past three years alone, operating costs have required the college to provide more than £1m in additional funding in order to maintain the nursery provision.

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A spokesperson for the college said: “Unfortunately, the college’s new financial situation means it is impossible to sustain this level of support and, as a result, the board was left with no realistic option other than closure from the end of the current nursery term.

“Both centres have offered a superb service for children and parents for many years and the board is extremely grateful for the invaluable contributions staff have made towards the education and care of young people in our region. 

“However, the new financial reality resulting from the college’s real term funding allocation cut has made it impossible to continue to run the nurseries when our primary responsibility must be to achieve positive outcomes for our students.”

All staff in the nurseries will be offered the option of redeployment within the wider college community or to apply for voluntary severance. 

Support will also be provided to parents and guardians.