Five nursery schools across Kincardine and Mearns are to benefit from a £200,000 investment as they prepare to expand their hours next year.
Enhancements and improvements will be made at Auchenblae School, Drumoak School, Hillside School, Lairhillock School and Crossroads Nursery, after Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns committee approved the funding.
The projects are aimed at upgrading both indoor and outdoor spaces.
All works are anticipated to be completed by the end of the Easter holidays.
The investment comes amid the wider development of early years provision in Aberdeenshire, with the number of hours offered rising by law from 600 to 1,140 by August.
The committee has also approved the appointment of Morrison Construction as the main contractor to build a nursery at Fishermoss Primary School, which will become the first of the new-build nurseries to be delivered as a result of the nationwide increase in nursery provision.
Works will include the construction of a new 48-place standalone nursery with landscaped outdoor play area, alterations to the existing primary school to upgrade the shared activity spaces, and the creation of a new multi-sensory space.
Existing temporary accommodation and associated ramps will be demolished.
Construction is due to start on site in January, with completion scheduled for August.
Committee chairwoman, Wendy Agnew, said: “These projects represent a tremendous investment in our nursery provision which will benefit future generations of children.”
