ARDEER Early Years Class welcomed parents through the doors for a special open day.

The Ardeer Class is now delivering 1140 hours of early learning and childcare a year for all three and four-year-olds– almost double the previous amount.

Ardeer started delivering the expanded hours in January of this year allowing children and families to enjoy early years access from 8am-6pm over 49 weeks of the year, with parents able to choose full year or term-time delivery.

As part of the expansion programme, the Early Years Class accommodation at Ardeer was extended to create a new entrance, parents’ room, dining space and a canopy that provides additional shelter for children whilst outdoors.

The Early Years Team welcomed parents, grandparents and friends to the open day on Wednesday, March 27, to help celebrate the new resource.

Deborah Allison, Early Years Manager, said: “It was wonderful to welcome family and friends to our newly expanded early years class so they could see the changes for themselves.

“The children love their new space and are already reaping the benefits.”

Currently, nine early years centres across North Ayrshire are delivering 1140 hours with a further nine establishments due to launch the expanded hours in August this year. In addition eight partners from the private, voluntary and independent sector will also commence delivery of 1140 hours ahead of the full rollout in August 2020. Work is also currently underway to extend the 1140 hours provision to the child minder sector.