27/3/2008Fury over £28,000 funding cut to nursery
ANGRY parents and teachers have hit out at a decision to cut funding to one of the city's most innovative nurseries.
Up to 20 places will go at the Jeely Piece Club nursery in Castlemilk after the charity was told its funding from a government grant scheme would be slashed by almost 75%.
One nursery worker will lose their job at the end of the month.
Previously, the project was allocated £38,000 a year from the Fairer Scotland Fund, which used to be called the Community Regeneration Fund. The cash was used to run the pre-five nursery which has places for 68 youngsters.
However this year it will get just £10,000 - leaving a shortfall of £28,000.
The Jeely Piece Club has delivered services to children and parents for more than 30 years and is held up as an example of good practice by community leaders, social workers and politicians.
As well as running the nursery, it also offers wider services to support parents, including parenting classes, stress management and help to find employment.
The body which allocates the grants insists the club should still have adequate funds to run services as it can access grants from other sources.
But Deborah Blackhurst, deputy director of Pre-Fives at the nursery, said the cuts would have a devastating effect on the nursery.
She said: "Initially we're going to have to cut 10 places, but this may have to rise to 20 in the near future, which is terrible news for the parents and children of Castlemilk.
"It is particularly frustrating for us because we are already doing exactly what politicians and childcare experts are constantly calling for - early intervention.
"We are working with whole families to make a difference."
The charity's total budget is around £700,000 but that is used to run the nursery, creche and play facilities for under-fives and for youngsters aged 5-12, as well as services for parents, at two separate locations.
The income comes from a range of sources, but Jeely Piece bosses say the £38,000 from GCPP was considered core funding for the nursery.
Staff and parents staged a protest last week outside the City Chambers, where the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership (GCPP), which administers the grants, was meeting.
Among the protesters was mum-of five Lucy Henry, who has three daughters at the Jeely Piece nursery, Matilda, aged four, two-year-old Mirren and Megan, six months.
She also attends a number of classes and support sessions.
She said: "To think that places will have to be cut is horrendous.
"Parents like myself need help and support, and that's exactly what we get at the Jeely."
A spokesman for GCPP insisted the nursery was still receiving generous support.
He said: "The Jeely Piece Club has shown an excellent example to other community projects by raising over £700,000 of alternative funding from a variety of sources in the 06/07 financial period.
"GCPP continues to offer financial support to the Club, but the £28,000 reduction in funding will be invested in other emerging projects."
Up to 20 places will go at the Jeely Piece Club nursery in Castlemilk after the charity was told its funding from a government grant scheme would be slashed by almost 75%.
One nursery worker will lose their job at the end of the month.
Previously, the project was allocated £38,000 a year from the Fairer Scotland Fund, which used to be called the Community Regeneration Fund. The cash was used to run the pre-five nursery which has places for 68 youngsters.
However this year it will get just £10,000 - leaving a shortfall of £28,000.
The Jeely Piece Club has delivered services to children and parents for more than 30 years and is held up as an example of good practice by community leaders, social workers and politicians.
As well as running the nursery, it also offers wider services to support parents, including parenting classes, stress management and help to find employment.
The body which allocates the grants insists the club should still have adequate funds to run services as it can access grants from other sources.
But Deborah Blackhurst, deputy director of Pre-Fives at the nursery, said the cuts would have a devastating effect on the nursery.
She said: "Initially we're going to have to cut 10 places, but this may have to rise to 20 in the near future, which is terrible news for the parents and children of Castlemilk.
"It is particularly frustrating for us because we are already doing exactly what politicians and childcare experts are constantly calling for - early intervention.
"We are working with whole families to make a difference."
The charity's total budget is around £700,000 but that is used to run the nursery, creche and play facilities for under-fives and for youngsters aged 5-12, as well as services for parents, at two separate locations.
The income comes from a range of sources, but Jeely Piece bosses say the £38,000 from GCPP was considered core funding for the nursery.
Staff and parents staged a protest last week outside the City Chambers, where the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership (GCPP), which administers the grants, was meeting.
Among the protesters was mum-of five Lucy Henry, who has three daughters at the Jeely Piece nursery, Matilda, aged four, two-year-old Mirren and Megan, six months.
She also attends a number of classes and support sessions.
She said: "To think that places will have to be cut is horrendous.
"Parents like myself need help and support, and that's exactly what we get at the Jeely."
A spokesman for GCPP insisted the nursery was still receiving generous support.
He said: "The Jeely Piece Club has shown an excellent example to other community projects by raising over £700,000 of alternative funding from a variety of sources in the 06/07 financial period.
"GCPP continues to offer financial support to the Club, but the £28,000 reduction in funding will be invested in other emerging projects."