A new extension at a north-east nursery has been officially opened by the Provost of Aberdeenshire.
Bervie Nursery has been able to offer more places to children after £1.9 million of construction work.
Provost and Mearns councillor Bill Howatson unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion yesterday.
The project added an entirely new building to the Church Street site, boasting an additional classroom and larger dining room.
The extension, attached to Inverbervie’s primary school, has boosted the number of available places to 60.
Provost Howatson said: “It has been a privilege to officially open this extension in my ward. It is yet another upgrade to our school estate.
“We want to give children the best possible start in life and facilities such as this assist the council in achieving this aim.
“Generations of children will learn, play, make friends and share meals in these excellent new facilities.
“I would like to thank all the council services involved as well as Bancon Construction for working together to complete this magnificent extension.”
He added: “The council takes great pride in investing and upgrading its schools so that they can be enjoyed not just by the pupils, staff and parents but, in many cases, the community as well.”
The extension was one of 15 capital projects in schools and nurseries completed by Aberdeenshire Council over the summer, at a cost of about £2.4 million.
And the local authority has promised another £1.7 million will be spent as it works to meet Scottish Government demands for an increase in early learning and childcare hours across the country.
The Education and Children’s Services Committee chairwoman on Aberdeenshire Council, Gillian Owen, added: “With the expansion of provision of nursery places at the forefront of the national political and news agenda currently, the official opening of the extension to Bervie Nursery could not be better timed.
“Learning and play are so important for children’s development as our play strategy demonstrates so these new facilities will play such an important part in our children growing in the years ahead.
“One of the most pleasing aspects of my role is witnessing the investment that has gone into our school estate to transform it into a modern environment where children and teachers alike can thrive.”
