Parents and wider community ‘relieved and delighted’ as mothballed Melvich Early Learning Centre set to reopen
Parents in a small north coast community say they are “relieved and delighted” that their early learning centre (ELC) is to reopen after a long period of closure.
Highland Council has confirmed that Melvich Early Learning Centre will reopen for the start of the 2024/25 academic year - provided staff can be recruited and the building upgraded.
It was feared the facility would remain closed after parents whose children were enrolled to start at the nursery were told by education officials last week that its future was in the balance with a decision due this week.
They sprang into action - launching an online petition with the support of community members and Melvich Community Council.
The early years centre is seen as a key factor in attracting young families to an area suffering from depopulation.
Lisa Jardine, a local parent, said it had been an “intense week”.
“We are thrilled and delighted to receive the news that Melvich Early Learning Centre will be opening in August after a very intense last week,” she said.
“A vital resource for our community has been given the go-ahead and this has a huge positive impact on our lives and the lives of our children. We finally feel that their rights and development are being taken seriously.”
Located in a playroom at Melvich Primary School, the early learning centre is registered to provide a care service for a maximum of 20 children, aged from three to five.
The local authority decided to “mothball” the facility last June due to low numbers. The three children attending the centre at this time were due to move on, but two more were due to start in January and April 2024.
Parents of the children who would have attended Melvich Nursery over the past year have sent them to early years centres at Reay (six miles away ) and Farr (13 miles away). but have not been able to take them as often as they would have liked due to distance and work commitments.
During Highland Council’s enrolment week in February, five children were enrolled to start at Melvich Early Learning Centre for the start of the new academic year.
Parents were contacted earlier this month and told that the centre was likely to be mothballed for another year. They were asked not to share the information until a final decision had been made.
The community launched a petition on change.org which was supported by 484 people.
The petition states: “Our primary school, including the ELC, is at the heart of our community. It is our lifeblood and has been a key factor in encouraging new families to the area in recent years.”
And on Monday the parents were told by Highland Council that officials would “do their very best to open the nursery in August”.
Eileen Bryant, chairperson of Melvich Community Council, said: “Melvich Community Council are delighted that the education authorities have been able to work to keep our fantastic facility.
“The whole school is the heart of the community, connecting the children and adults of all ages, and instilling that feeling of community at an early age in the children.
“It gives the sense of belonging that is so important in our rural communities, and is the catalyst to attract young families to live here.
“The group of parents who worked so hard to achieve this great result is a perfect example of how committed our community is to the future of our village.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “Following a recent consultation with parents/guardians and pending successful recruitment of staff and building upgrades, Melvich ELC will reopen for session 2024/25.”
