FIFE COUNCIL has revealed it is looking at opening a new outdoor nursery in Duloch.

An information session had been planned to take place earlier this month for parents and other interested parties but this had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Team manager Dawn Cook said they had identified a location next to Duloch Primary School which could be a suitable location for outside learning.

"The site is in the grounds of Calaismuir Woods next to the primary school," she said.

“This outside nursery will operate as a satellite service and will be managed by the headteacher of Duloch Primary and Nursery School.

"It will have capacity for 16 children to attend full day, 9am to 3pm and will operate during school term time.”

From August, early learning and childcare provision will almost double from 600 hours to 1,140 hours for all three- and four-year-olds as well as eligible two-year-olds.

Families can choose from a range of nurseries, playgroups and childminders partnered with Fife Council and a variety of sessions, not offered at every site but available in every locality. 

They are: Six hours a day during the school year; Four hours, 40 minutes a day for 49 weeks of the year; Ten hours per day for two days of the week plus another half day, on 46 weeks of the year. Flexible hours to be agreed with a private nursery, playgroup or childminder who is partnered with the council. 

In order to meet demand, a £30 million investment programme is being undertaken in Fife which will include the provision of new nurseries – and alterations to some existing ones – across Fife to meet demand.

As a result, more than 700 new nursery places will be provided in West Fife with new facilities planned for Rosyth, Halbeath and Pitcorthie.