Courtesy Barrhead News

East Renfrewshire Council has begun a consultation into plans for a new nursery in Barrhead.

It is proposing to relocate Arthurlie Family Centre to a brand-new facility on the site of the former Auchenback Primary School.

This new early years centre would cost £3.4 million and would open in August 2015.

Residents in the area are now being consulted on the proposals and are invited to have their say.

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday 4 December in Arthurlie Family Centre, starting at 7pm. All are welcome to go along.

The new centre, as well as incorporating Arthurlie, would be an early years community hub, providing expanded support and services for children aged 0 to five.

It would bring front-line staff from the council together with other agencies to work together for the benefit of the area’s youngest children.

It is also proposed to expand Arthurlie’s nursery provision by offering 50 places for children under the age of three.

There is currently no local authority provision for under-threes in the Auchenback area, with children of this age attending the McCready Family Centre.

The consultation period ends on Thursday 9 January 2014. To find out how to make your views known, and find out more about what is proposed, see the council’s website at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk.

The council will also be formally consulting with a wide range of people and organisations, including Arthurlie Family Centre staff and its parent committee.

Following the consultation, a report will be prepared and the education committee will make a decision, which is expected to be in March 2014.