EAST Renfrewshire Council insists ambitious plans to build five new nurseries are on track for completion next year.

Under proposals announced by the Scottish Government, the council is required to “significantly increase” the number of nursery places available in the area by August 2020.

That will lead to a £23million investment across East Renfrewshire, with five new nurseries being opened in Busby, Thornliebank, Clarkston, Eaglesham and Newton Mearns.

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Two will be based within the grounds of Busby Primary and Eaglesham Primary, with another in Overlee Park and replacements being built for the Crookfur Pavilion and Glenwood Family Centre.

Other existing nurseries will be developed as part of the expansion plan, with a further £3.3m being invested to create an extension at Cross Arthurlie Primary in Barrhead, plus improvements to facilities at Hazeldene Family Centre, Carolside Nursery Class and Braidbar Nursery Class.

Each of the new facilities is scheduled to be open by August 2020. Councillors in neighbouring Renfrewshire have expressed worries that targets to increase nursery provision in their area may not be met within the given timescale.

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However, officials in East Renfrewshire are confident the work taking place will be completed on time.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire’s education convener, told the Barrhead News: “Our nurseries are already extremely popular and building these new facilities will offer families more flexibility and choice when choosing their childcare.

“This is a positive step forward as the council prepares to introduce almost double the amount of free childcare for all three and four year olds by August next year.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Our phased approach to increasing nursery provision across the area has the aim of meeting the new target. 

“More than 100 families are already benefitting from almost double the amount of free childcare, and as the next phase of our plan rolls out from August this year it will provide more flexibility and opportunities for families when applying for early learning and childcare places.”