NESCol Nursery opened in 2019 on the grounds of NESCol College’s Fraserburgh Campus the nursery offered early learning and childcare for up to 30 children from 6 months to 5 years old.
Unfortunately, in May last year the College made a decision to close the on-site nursery due to a reduction of funding for the Scottish college sector as a whole, and therefore our last operating day will be Friday 4th July 2025.
This will be a sad time for parents who already have children in the setting however all of our current parents have managed to secure a place in another Local Authority setting in the town and we are confident that new students with children will also be able to find suitable childcare locally.
According to Service Manager Kim Gairns,
“We are obviously disappointed that the nursery has had to close but rather than looking at the negatives, my team and I have been reflecting on the last 6 years and we know the huge impact that we’ve had on the lives of all of the children and their families. It’s emotional for all of us but we know we’ve left a legacy in Fraserburgh, and although we might be gone, we hope that we’re not forgotten!”
Indeed, Kim and her team have constantly had high approval ratings from parents.
In NESCol Nursery’s most recent satisfaction survey, when asked how parents rated the service 100% said excellent or very good.
Parents said,
“I would really highly recommend your services! There is no other nursery around in our area. It’s been life saver, I’m glad I heard about it, it is very sad it is closing, devastating for all the families who’s little ones still need proper nursery. As other nurseries only offer 4h a day that is not enough for working or studying parents.”
Another said,
“Absolutely would recommend the layout of it is amazing and so helpful and all nurseries should be like this.”
The survey also asked parents how the flexibility of the service helped, parents responded saying:
“It helped us greatly since starting college. I was happy to have some childcare in place that helped me study then as my son got older I was able to work on days I wasn’t at college and still put him in which has been important for me! I’ve also had time to myself which has really helped me too.”
“I work night shift, so this nursery helped me by looking after my daughter and allowing me well needed rest in between my shifts, so I could look after myself and my kids.”
The NESCol nursery also provided a great space for NESCol students to gain work experience with many of the Childcare Practice students taking their placements on site at the nursery.
According to Diane Beattie, Curriculum Manager at NESCol,
“NESCol nursery has been advantageous to our courses, offering students the opportunity to experience an early year’s environment that was accessible, welcoming, and offered many employment opportunities. We will greatly miss the nursery.”
