Childcare plea after Dunfermline out of school club closure

Kateryna Kriukova had a place for her daughter Vira, 6, at the Garvock Out of School Club which is based in the Vine Centre, however she has been left devastated after hearing that the facility is to shut in August.

She was one of the parents to receive an email telling her she will need to make alternative arrangements.

The service owner said the decision had been made with "a lot of mixed emotions" due to personal and health reasons.

READ MORE: Home Bargains come back with fresh £6m plans for new store in Dunfermline

The email added: "I have looked into options for the continuation of the out of school club under new ownership but unfortunately this hasn't come to fruition and so brings us to a close in August.

"I am personally genuinely sorry to be sending this email to all our newly registered families as I understand organising childcare is a priority for parents and I am very grateful that Garvock received your consideration.

"I trust and hope however this notice period from June to August 16 will give you all plenty of time to source alternative childcare options, we will also still be available over the summer for your childcare requirements."

Kateryna said she has not yet been able to find an alternative for Vira who is due to be at Commercial Primary School after the summer holidays.

"Right now I can't find a single childminder because parents are massively flooding all alternative clubs, childminders and social media with requests," she said. "The after-school club directly managed by Fife Council at the school is full.

READ MORE: City centre favourite lands title of Dunfermline Press Best Pub 2024

"We have been living in Scotland for two years. We had been living in Cowdenbeath for the past year, hosted by a wonderful family under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Kateryna Kriukova and her daughter Vira. (Image: Contributed)

"However, I did not want to be a burden on this generous family, so I have recently found a job and rented an apartment in Dunfermline to live independently and provide a stable home for my child.

"We have just moved to Dunfermline on June 1, and finding childcare was my top priority as I cannot work without it, and I have no one here to help me with the child when I'm at work.

"I heard great reviews about Garvock and contacted them. I looked at their building and met the manager – they were excellent. The manager confirmed that Vira has a place starting in August and that I don't need to worry about the availability of spots."

Kateryna said Garvock's closure has put her financial situation at risk.

"I am now desperately in need of an after-school club in Dunfermline that can cover the hours from 3pm to 6pm for Vira at Commercial Primary School, starting in August. Ideally, I would also need a breakfast club so I can be in the office by 9am," she explained.

READ MORE: Plans for a £6m hub in Dalgety Bay have taken a step forward

"Without this, I may have to resort to pleading with St Bride's Primary School in Cowdenbeath to keep Vira enrolled there, and I would have to commute her a long distance from our new home in Dunfermline, which is far from ideal.

"You can imagine how difficult it is to leave everything behind and move to another country, and then to gradually rebuild your life from scratch. Therefore, maintaining what I have already achieved is strategically important for me and my daughter."

Fife Council say they are providing support for anyone affected by the closure.

Education chief Shelagh McLean said: "We have been made aware of the unexpected closure of the privately run Garvock Out of School Club and are offering places to parents in our services, where we have the space.

"We are also signposting families to alternative private services that we know of and are building a waiting list to see what might be needed in addition to what we can currently offer."

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate stated: "We have been notified by the provider of their intention to close this service.”