An Aberdeenshire nursery will be knocked down and replaced with a modern new building which will focus on outdoor learning.
Children at Fishermoss Nursery in Portlethten are currently taught within two ageing Portakabins in the grounds of Fishermoss Primary School.
The council decided that bringing the existing properties to a “decent standard” would be too costly, and instead opted to lodge plans to demolish them and create a brand new nursery.
The building will include a kitchen, snacking area and play area.
Planning documents state: “The new nursery will provide an opportunity to incorporate a purpose-designed outdoor environment which will enhance and promote outdoor learning
“Additional facilities will also be created, including a quiet space and parent space, allowing the facility to create closer links with parents and the local community. ”
A building warrant launched for the first stage of work values it at around £1.4 million, but the true cost is expected to be higher.
The approval comes as Aberdeenshire Council reviews all of its early learning and childcare operations as part of new government targets.
The Scottish Government has pledged to increase free nursery places from the current 600 hours to 1,140 hours for three and four-year-olds by August next year.
It is hoped the number of places would increase under the new building.
Portlethen is the seventh most populated settlement in Aberdeenshire, and the nearby Portlethen Primary School is also in the process of a major refurbishment in a bid to increase capacity.
