Moray Council’s proposed budget cuts to the region’s childcare services threaten to severely impact local families, particularly working parents, and undermine the future of early years education. The Council is planning to cut the following at Linkwood, Lhanbryde, Pilmuir and Seafield nurseries:

• End year-round childcare
• Reduce nursery opening hours to 09:00 - 15:00
• Reduce nursery capacity by up to 50%.
• Cut the salaries of experienced childcare workers

These cuts not only disrupt families who depend on flexible, reliable childcare, but they also create a future shortage in services that will be unable to meet the growing needs of the local community.

Moray Council has been planning these drastic cuts for months, but they have failed to inform both existing and new parents registering for childcare services. This lack of communication is especially concerning given the significant amount of new housing developments in the region. As the population grows, the demand for childcare services will rise - but these cuts are set to reduce availability when it’s needed most.

The cuts to nursery services directly affect working parents who rely on the extended hours to maintain their jobs, support their families, and contribute to the local economy. The proposed reduction in opening hours and capacity will force many parents to either reduce their working hours or leave the workforce entirely, further limiting their financial independence and ability to support local businesses.

The Impact

• Parents will face fewer options: The loss of year-round childcare and limited operating hours will leave parents struggling to find flexible alternatives.
• Working parents will be disadvantaged: The cuts to both nursery hours and capacity make it more difficult for parents to balance work and family life, forcing many to seek childcare outside of their local community—often at higher costs and increased travel time.
• Experienced childcare workers will be affected: The salary cuts could lead to a loss of skilled and experienced staff who are vital to maintaining the high standards of care and education at these nurseries.
• The local economy will suffer: When parents are forced to cut back on working hours or leave their jobs due to inadequate childcare, the local economy loses out on the full potential of its workforce.

We urge Moray Council to reconsider these harmful cuts and work with parents, carers, and childcare professionals to find sustainable solutions that meet the needs of our growing community.

Moray’s nurseries play an essential role in supporting local families, fostering early childhood education, and ensuring that parents can work and contribute to the local economy. By making these cuts, Moray Council risks undermining the stability of families and the prosperity of the community. We need to act now to stop these harmful cuts and ensure that every child in Moray has access to the quality, affordable childcare they deserve.

Please sign this petition to demand that Moray Council halt their proposal and instead work to strengthen nursery provision for the benefit of all local families.

Together, we can protect the future of childcare in Moray.