An SNP councillor has raised concerns over a lack of nursery school places in Aberdeen.
Kirsty Blackman, highlighted her worries about provision for three and four-year-olds in the city in an open letter to Angela Taylor, convener of the city council’s education committee.
Ms Blackman said she was moved to intervene after one of her constituents complained that her three-year-old daughter was denied a place at a city nursery in April 2015, despite applying in good time.
In the letter, she said: “I understand that there is a significant shortfall in available places for 2014/15.
“I would appreciate it if you could confirm what action the city council’s administration is taking to ensure that all eligible children receive the offer of a placing at both preschool and ante preschool stages.”
Ms Blackman said she had also written to the director of education to highlight the issue.
“Aberdeen City Council needs to fulfill its statutory obligations and provide nursery places for eligible children from the term after their third birthday,” she said.
“Early years education is so important, it gives the city’s children the best start on their learning path.
“As a parent of a three-year old who goes to a school nursery, I know first hand the benefits that children gain from this provision.
“The administration should have seen this issue coming and taken action to increase places.”
Mrs Taylor insisted she and her colleagues were committed to ensuring the council meets its statutory obligations – and insisted Ms Blackman’s party had to shoulder some of the blame.
“We recognise the importance of education and that is why education is still our number one priority,” she said.
“The administration will increase its spending on education to over £176 million next year, despite being the lowest funded council in Scotland.
“Decisions taken by the SNP to close schools in regeneration areas has not helped the city deal with its obligations for nursery places, however we are working with parents to find solutions to these problems inherited from the previous SNP administration.”