The £900,000 project at Aberlour Primary School involves upgrading of the ELC toilets and kitchen, installation new flooring and enhancing the outdoor learning space to bring facilities up to national standards.

The ELC setting is shared by council-led Aberlour Primary Nursery and Aberlour & Craigellachie Pre-School, which is operated by a partner provider. Children and staff will temporarily relocate to Speyside High School from the start of the new term in August, with works scheduled for completion over the following eight weeks.

Moray Council’s early years service manager, Hazel Sly, said: “We’re grateful for the support of families, staff and the community as we worked to progress the Aberlour project, and in particular Speyside High head teacher, Patricia Goodbrand, whose flexible approach means the long-awaited refurbishment is now on track.”

Speyside High School head teacher, Patricia Goodbrand, added: “Temporarily co-locating with us will bring exciting opportunities for the younger children and secondary pupils to learn together. While the younger children and staff can look forward to returning to much improved facilities after the October break we look forward to some new ways of learning for that short time.”

Aberlour is last of seven major refurbishment projects to be completed as part of Moray’s ELC expansion project. Four new council-owned nurseries have also been built: Strathisla Children’s Centre, Keith; Pilmuir Primary School Nursery, Forres; Cullen Primary School Nursery; and Linkwood Primary School Nursery, Elgin.