A nursery in Ferguslie has announced they are to close after loosing their funding from Renfrewshire Council.
Children First, a non-profit organisation who run Hillview Nursery on Blackstone Road made the announcement last week.
Parents, children and local councillors protested outside the nursery on Friday afternoon after receiving news of the closure the day previously.
Currently 36 children attend the nursery and a number of staff face loosing their job.
However, Renfrewshire Council said there is sufficient capacity for alternative childcare provision in the area for all children attending Hillview Nursery. They will work with the nursery and parents to ensure the children who are loosing their place will have the most appropriate solution for their needs.
In the past, the local authority provided Childcare First with financial support to ensure that there was flexible and affordable childcare in the Ferguslie area.
After new legislation was passed by the Scottish Government, the Council will look to deliver 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare by 2020 and because of this, they have reviewed funding arrangements for all childcare providers in the independent and voluntary sector – which included Hillview Nursery.
The nursery confirmed it will close on Sunday 31st March next year.
A spokesperson for Childcare First, who run the nursery, said: “All of us at Childcare First are committed to working with Renfrewshire Council to deal with the reduction and eventual withdrawal of children’s services funding to the Company.
“In dealing with the impact of this reduction in funding the Company has taken the decision to effectively close Hillview Nursery from 31st March 2019.
“Our priority at present is to support our staff, children and families during this very difficult time and to work with Renfrewshire Council to find solutions for the families involved.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson, said: “Providing accessible and affordable high-quality childcare to all children in Renfrewshire is our priority.
“We are committed to delivering 1140 hours of early learning and childcare by 2020, in line with the Scottish Government’s target, and ensuring all private and voluntary childcare services in Renfrewshire are supported to meet this deadline is essential.
“Historically the Council provided Childcare First with financial support to ensure that there was flexible and affordable childcare in the Ferguslie and Shortroods areas.
“With the change in the amount of childcare to be provided, we have reviewed funding arrangements to ensure a consistent approach for all childcare providers in the independent and voluntary sector.
“We understand that Childcare First have made the decision to close Hillview Nursery from 31 March next year.
“There is sufficient capacity for alternative childcare provision for all children attending Hillview Nursery and we continue to work with Childcare First and parents to ensure all children have the most appropriate solution for their needs.”