A DUNFERMLINE mum believes toddler groups like hers have been “forgotten” about in lockdown with no guidance about when they can reopen.

Lorraine McRoberts, chair of Bellyeoman Parent and Toddlers, has been in touch with children’s organisations and politicians but is still uncertain on what can be done going forward.

She said: “Our type of groups are a vital lifeline to new parents in the local community and there are many in all areas throughout the country, yet we appear to have been forgotten about in the coronavirus lockdown."

The mum-of-three, who is also involved in Dunfermline’s Twins and More group, worries that groups could lose their venues with so little information about how they should prepare.

Last week the Press reported that Aberdour Playgroup had been forced to close its doors with the impact of coronavirus on its finances.

While playgroups are different, parents tend to drop their children off at playgroup while they stay with them at toddler groups, Lorraine said they're in the dark too.

She said: “All the early years guidance has been focused on schools, nurseries and after school clubs and we haven’t been given any information at all about our baby and toddler groups.

“I approached Early Years Scotland in May who said their CEO was in conversation with the Scottish Government and was assured that Maree Todd and her team were currently discussing and looking at producing safe reopening practice and procedures, but that was back in May and still nothing is forthcoming.

“I have also contacted Parent Club Scotland who said we could have very small groups inside or outdoors activities but these are really not feasible.

"Now that churches and other community buildings are starting to open, we are worried we will lose our venue but we cannot afford to run with very small numbers.

“We also need to know if we need to buy extra cleaning materials or have wash stations etc as this is all going to cost extra."

She has contacted local politicians for help and added: “I have set up a Facebook group called Baby and Toddler Group Support West Fife so that we can share information and guidance but so far there's nothing to help us.”

Current guidances mean that children cannot attend multiple early years groups, leaving places like Aberdour Playgroup with a serious reduction in numbers.

Annabelle Ewing MSP brought the playgroup’s plight to the attention of Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People, and said: “When I first heard of the difficult decisions facing the Aberdour playgroup, I expressed the hope that this will not be the end for Aberdour playgroup and that, as things continue to change over the coming weeks and months, it will become easier for important groups like this to operate.

“That remains my hope and, while what the minister had to say in her statement was welcome – including the indication that new guidance is coming – I asked what specific considerations will be given to the range of circumstances in which blended placements will be permitted and, crucially, from what date such placements will be permitted.

“I stressed that, until that information can be made available, playgroups such as the one in Aberdour simply cannot make plans in time to keep their doors open.

"The minister assured me that the latest expert guidance gives her confidence that the Scottish Government will be able to ease the restrictions on blended childcare from August."