WORK is due to start in May on a new £3.4 million nursery for Law Primary School, it has been announced.
The construction contract was awarded to Messrs Hadden Group in December last year but the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two-storey new nursery building will be built west of Law Primary on a section of playing fields, and will replace the town’s current nursery housed behind the community centre on Law Road.
The site of the new nursery is marked in this picture in blue
An East Lothian Council spokesperson confirmed that the new nursery would follow an “open-plan design” with a mezzanine area and separate quiet room. Outdoors, children will benefit from a kitchen garden and large playground.
As previously reported in the Courier, neighbouring North Berwick High School is also being extended.
The council spokesperson added: “The new nursery and construction access required for expansion works at North Berwick High School will lead to the loss of one sports pitch. We are currently looking at options in the short and long term for sports pitches in the town.”
The nursery is due to open in late spring next year and will accommodate up to 240 children split across the two nursery sessions.
An artist's impression of what the new nursery at Law Primary School will look like
Judy Lockhart-Hunter, chair of North Berwick Community Council, said: “It is great news a purpose-built nursery is to be built at Law Primary School.
“It is fantastic to see such a large investment being made in the town to help facilitate learning opportunities for young children.”
And she added: “Our population has increased in recent years, with significant new housing being built, and nurseries around the town have been in very high demand. Increasing the options can only be a good thing for parents.”
Jeremy Findlay, ward councillor, said: “The new nursery school is of course very welcome, especially in light of the huge increase in North Berwick’s population and the introduction of 1,140 [free nursery] hours this coming academic year.
“It is a shame that Covid has delayed the start of this project but I look forward to seeing the wonderful new facility when it is complete, as it will enhance our children’s early years education.”
East Lothian Council received funding from the Scottish Government to upgrade, alter, extend and provide new nurseries throughout the county, after the Government’s pledge to increase the provision of free early learning and childcare services to 1,140 hours per year.
Work on the high school extension, next to the new nursery, is due to be completed by autumn next year.
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