1. A scheduled CnP meeting with Glasgow City Council Education Department officials was held on Monday 8 October. Time was set aside to discuss the planned closure of the Gaelic nursery at Little Scholars. On the Council's part, Peggy McIntosh, Jim Whannel, and Iain Macdonald were in attendance.
2. Mary Galbraith – Convener of CnP – Glaschu – updated the officials on the meeting held last week, and communicated the parents' concerns and aspirations.
3. The officials were interested to know that parents favour the Holmlea suggestion. They are actively pursuing this option, and are still investigating the feasibility of making this a Council run GME nursery. The revenue-funding bid, covering the period April 2008 to March 2009 has been submitted, and this is solid evidence of the Council's continued support for this service model. It is not thought that there will be much by way of physical building work required, however this is being checked.
4. Mary communicated the parents' preferences, in relation to location, operating period (ie to include non-term time holidays) and staffing, and these were noted.
5. We have also asked for a visit (by a small delegation, to keep it manageable), to see the facility first-hand. They will contact us when they have established a suitable date and time.
6. In order to formalise our interest in pursuing this option, CnP – Glaschu will write formally to the Director of Education, expressing our interest in pursuing Holmlea as a GME all-day, birth to five years, nursery and day-care facility. This letter is being sent this week, before the October holidays.
7. It may be helpful to make carefully targeted approaches to the Councillors; however, this task needs to be handled very sensitively. In the interests of making sure that the parent body is united on this matter, such lobbying should be tightly controlled for it to be effective.
8. By way of information, the Council officials mentioned that advertisement for Lyoncross staffing will be placed during October. It is likely to be January 2008 before the service starts. As was stated at the parents' meeting, the Council always planned this to be additional capacity, and is not considered to be a substitute for the Little Scholars service.
9. Parents and friends wishing to receive this information by email should email her Jackie Hoy at jackie.hoy@btintern et.com with their personal contact details.
10. Also, this information is being posted on the CnP – Glaschu yahoo group site: http://uk.groups. yahoo.com/ group/CnP_ Glaschu, the Little Scholars notice-board, and a dedicated blog http://sgoilearan- beaga.blogspot. com.
As a group of parents, it will be worthwhile holding a further meeting to discuss progress, probably at the end of October or early November. At this time it would also be worthwhile seeking volunteers for a small sub-group to co-ordinate any activities that may be necessary to progress matters, such as attending meetings, drafting standard letters, communications.
No comments:
Post a Comment