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Inverness
Thursday, February 13, 2025

Moray Council Seeks Feedback on Early Years Services Changes

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Moray Council is calling on parents, carers, and families to weigh in on proposed adjustments to Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services as part of its 2025-26 budget planning.

In an effort to balance quality care with financial sustainability, the council is considering changes to operating hours at four ELC settings—Lhanbryde, Linkwood, Pilmuir, and Seafield.

Currently, these settings provide 25 hours of care per week for 46 weeks a year.

The proposal would shift this to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks a year, with hours running from 9am to 3pm, aligning with the primary school schedule.

This adjustment is based on historical attendance data showing lower engagement during holiday periods, and it’s anticipated to save £260,000.

Alongside this, nursery managers’ contracts would be adjusted to a 47-week working year, generating a further £23,000 in savings.

Cllr Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, emphasised the dual focus on maintaining quality while achieving necessary budget cuts.

“We understand the importance of high-quality early years services to our families, and these proposed changes aim to meet current parental preferences while ensuring services remain financially sustainable.

“By streamlining hours and revising staffing structures, we can continue to provide high-quality childcare while achieving necessary savings,” she said.

The council is also proposing a restructure of the ELC teaching team.

The current 7.4 full-time equivalent teachers would be replaced with two Early Intervention Teachers and two Continuous Improvement Officers.

This new structure is expected to better support quality improvement and inspection outcomes while saving an additional £200,000.

Parents, carers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their thoughts through a dedicated online survey before it closes on 12 February.

Feedback is considered vital to shaping the future of the ELC service, ensuring it meets the needs of families while remaining financially responsible.

Workforce implications are being managed thoughtfully, with potential changes handled through natural turnover, contractual adjustments, or formal consultation as per the council’s change management policy.

Moray Council’s commitment to engaging with the community during this process highlights its dedication to transparency and responsiveness to public needs.

As the council navigates these challenging financial times, the voices of those directly impacted will play a crucial role in shaping the path forward.

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