The hub East Central Scotland projects are scheduled for completion by the end of June 2020.

Members of the hub team and Kevin Dickson, managing director of Robertson Construction, led Angus Council’s convener of children and learning committee, Councillor Wann, and Councillor Speed and a group of local councillors along with service leader (early years and early intervention) Victoria Smith and manager capital projects Dave Smith around the sites and updated them on the current stage of work.

Workers have been on site since October 2019 carrying out groundworks and are now constructing the building superstructures.

The two new centres are part of Angus Council’s plan to meet the Scottish Government’s increase in early learning and childcare entitlement from 600 hours of funded early learning and childcare to 1140 hours from August 2020 for all three and four-year-olds, and eligible two-year-olds.

The Carnoustie Centre at Pitskelly Park will provide for up to 205 children, while the Forfar Centre at Taylor Street will provide for up to 155 children. Each building will have dedicated outdoor space.

Councillor Wann said: “I am delighted to see progress on the new sites at Carnoustie and Forfar which will cater for more than 350 children from next year. These nurseries are part of our commitment to making Angus the best place in Scotland in which children grow, learn and thrive by providing high-quality early learning and childcare so it’s great to see the progress that’s been made.”

Councillor Speed, vice convener of children and learning committee, added: “These sites are really important for Angus as they will provide a great learning environment for children and a fantastic facility of staff and will ensure we can offer high quality, flexible and accessible early learning and childcare the children of Angus deserve.”

Gary Bushnell, chief executive at hub East Central Scotland, said: “It is great to see the new early learning and childcare centres taking shape.  The construction programme continues on schedule and we look forward to managing the successful delivery of another high-quality education facility for Angus Council that has been designed to meet the needs of the community for years to come.”

Kevin Dickson added: “We’re proud to be delivering these new Early Years Centres in Carnoustie and Forfar, with the facilities set to fill a vital role in widening access to early education. Our team is making good progress on both centres and it was a pleasure to welcome councillors and council officials for a closer look at the projects.”