Consultation is now underway on proposals to close Newarthill Nursery Centre and re-align provision in the Newarthill area to one of two options. Either to nursery class provision in St. Teresa's Primary School or in St. Teresa's Primary School and Keir Hardie Primary School.

The proposals are:

* In August 2010 the nursery provision in Newarthill Nursery Centre is either re-aligned to nursery class provision in St. Teresa's Primary School or in St. Teresa's Primary School and Keir Hardie Primary School – all in Newarthill.
* That the new nursery class resulting from re-alignment provide either 60 or 70 full time places to accommodate those children who would have enrolled in Newarthill Nursery Centre.
* That the children who, under the present arrangements, would have enrolled in Newarthill Nursery Centre, enrol in the new provision for session 2010-11.

Jane Liddell, Head of Education Quality and Development said, "The Learning and Leisure Services Committee now wishes to seek views on these proposals from interested parties, including the parents of children attending any nursery or primary school affected by the proposals.

"A number of changes to nursery school and nursery centre provision have already taken place and the proposals outlined are part of phase three of the review of early years provision.

"We have a duty to ensure that we provide services that are economic, effective, efficient and fit to meet the curricular demands of the 21stcentury. Phase three of our review aims to continue to integrate nursery term time into primary school provision."

The consultative document is being issued to all interested parties. All interested parties are invited to write with comments to Jane Liddell, (Newarthill Consultation), Head of Education Quality and Development, Learning and Leisure Services, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge ML5 3BT. These should be received no later than Friday 11 December 2009.

A report on the responses to the consultation will be presented at a future meeting of the Learning and Leisure Services committee.