Gracemount Primary has unveiled its brand new nursery. The new £1 million development will provide modern early years education facilities for three to five-year-olds in the area.

Funded by money made available as a result of Edinburgh Council's school closure process, the new nursery development has space for 40 morning and 40 afternoon pupils plus 16 full-time places.

During the school closures process, Edinburgh Councillors made a commitment to re-invest the resulting savings to improve facilities in schools where the pupils from the closing schools were set to move.

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City Education Leader Cllr Marilyne MacLaren said: "Research has proved that the early years of a child's life are absolutely key to their future development, so it's great news to be able to open another brand new nursery for Edinburgh.

"Despite the tough financial climate, this is just one of many new facilities that we are continuing to develop in the city and along with Gracemount and the new nursery at Clermiston, we are committed to further major investment in school infrastructure in the form of building three new secondary schools."

She added: "We would also like to thank Liberton United Boys Club for working with us to find a suitable new home at the former Burdiehouse Community Centre - as their relocation has enabled us to provide this great opportunity to care for more children in their area."

The new nursery building has been developed to provide a welcoming and stimulating learning environment and includes specially-designed space for staff to work both with parents and carry out partnership working with other agencies.

(GK)