Wendy fights for the University Nursery at Paisley

- – NEW BLOW FOR RENFREWSHIRE TOTS –

Wendy Alexander MSP in November broke fears of this closure to local media after approaches from staff and parents at the Paisley Campus .

She had received details of a presentation given to staff at the local University’s popular nursery. She took the case against closure up with the University Principal at that time.

Now it seems a closure decision may be taken by the University on the 20th of January.

Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“I am opposed to this closure – and committed to the fight of parents & staff to keep it open. It would be wrong for Paisley to lose a nursery at this time. The Paisley nursery needs new premises but that is no reason to close it completely.

Currently 44 children are enrolled. This action is a false economy. The international mix of children and the emotional comfort for children of knowing a parent in near has made the University nursery attractive to many students, some of them single parents.
I am urging University bosses to rule out the closure – and opt for a better service instead.

I have been in touch with Unison. I believe 30 jobs are threatened across the Paisley and Hamilton campuses. Coming on top of the downgrading of 6 Renfrewshire nursery schools forced through by the SNP/Lib Dem Renfrewshire Council last month – it is a bad time for our youngest citizens.

Of 10 Scottish Universities surveyed only 2 do not provide on-site nursery provision. I do want the University of the West of Scotland to become the third. We should be helping not hindering parents to study.  It is very hard to study and bring up young children at the same time. We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier not tougher.