Local MSP Rhoda Grant, Labour, has been contacted by Orkney parents concerned about the closure of Peedie Breeks nursery in Kirkwall. It has left some of the parents with no other available childcare provision and making them unable to secure employment.

Archived story: Peedie Breeks Nursery to Close Next Year

Former Papdale Halls of Residence in Kirkwall location of Peedie Breeks

Rhoda Grant is writing to Orkney Islands Council asking it to intervene in the impending shortage of childcare facing parents in and around Kirkwall.

She said:

“I understand Peedie Breeks is to close in the summer of 2020 due to the lease on the old Papdale Halls ending with no viable alternative being available.

“Orkney Islands Council have, I understand, indicated that 3-5 year olds would most likely be catered for in existing nurseries attached to schools due to the ‘1140 hours by 2020’ Scottish Government policy to extend free childcare hours.  It is unclear however how the schools will be able to take on the number of children that Peedie Breeks currently cares for.

Fully Funded Early Learning and Childcare: Orkney Enrolment Opens 20th January

Rhoda Grant continued:

“Parents of children aged 0-3 however are unsure how they will be able to carry on working with no other childcare provision available to them and with after school care also being of concern to a number of the parents.

“I am writing to Orkney Islands Council to ask them to intervene in the immediate term and I will be writing to the Scottish Government to ask what it will do to support parents with regard to 0-3 year old provision and access to after school care.

“Parents work to provide a better life for their children, they must be supported in doing this so that they are not put in the position of having to consider if they can continue to work.  That would be damaging for the parents, for the children involved and for the local economy.”