Bearsden Early Years Centre throws open its doors

The third of East Dunbartonshire’s brand new Early Years Centres is now open and ringing with the sound of local children enjoying everything it has to offer.

Bearsden Early Years Centre – which has 95 places for 2-5 year-olds – opened at the start of August following on from Lairdsland EYC in Kirkintilloch and Oakburn EYC in Milngavie which welcomed children in May.

The three centres are part of the Council’s commitment to deliver on the Scottish Government’s requirement for additional hours of early learning and childcare.

All three and four-year-olds, as well as eligible two-year-olds in Scotland, now receive 1140 hours of early learning and childcare each year, almost doubling the previous allocation of 600 hours.

The new Centre with its striking design, offers children access to a number of flexible spaces where they can learn through play. Its fully equipped playrooms feature the latest digital technology and an internal courtyard provides space for indoor and outdoor play with a show-stopping chute as a centrepiece.

The mezzanine level gives staff and children scope to turn it into anything their imaginations wish with lots of open space and natural light to enjoy. And there is free flow access to the outdoor garden area where children can develop their curiosity in the mud kitchen and natural resources with physical play.

Take a look at this short walkthrough video to get a feel for the modern design and layout of the building as well as the fantastic resources it houses.

Joint Council Leader, Andrew Polson said, “Opening this centre is another important part of the Council’s commitment to offering quality, flexible, accessible and affordable early years services to the people of East Dunbartonshire. I am delighted that families in Bearsden now have access to this wonderful facility and that our youngest children can benefit from such a great pre-school experience.”

Joint Council Leader, Vaughan Moody, added, “My thanks go to all the Council staff and our partners who worked hard to deliver this and our other two Early Years Centres in the face of huge challenges. We know how important early learning and childcare is to families and it’s great news that they are all open and functioning well.”

The Centres are being delivered for the Council through its delivery partner Hub West Scotland. The architects are Holmes Miller and Robertson Construction is the main contractor.

Chief Executive Officer of Hub West Scotland, Iain Marley, said, “We are thrilled that this high-quality learning environment is now available for the delivery of the 1140 hours nursery provision commitment. Oakburn forms part of an investment that has created a portfolio of four outstanding early learning and childcare facilities.

“These assets provide high quality learning environments that will help build skills and confidence and play a key role in children’s future development. Covid-19 has made this and other projects in construction particularly challenging so we are immensely proud of how well the combined East Dunbartonshire Council and hub team and our supply chain partners have worked together and deliver such a fantastic new facility.”

Managing Director of Robertson Construction Central West, Stewart Preston, said, “The opening of the Bearsden Early Years Centre marks the completion of three successful new build deliveries through Hub West Scotland for East Dunbartonshire Council.  The 1140 hours pre-schooling education commitment shown by the Council through innovative design and quality builds will benefit the local communities for years to come.  We are proud to have been the construction partner of choice and look forward to continuing our positive collaboration with Hub West Scotland and East Dunbartonshire Council.”