Meetings of concerned parents and committee members over the last fortnight have failed to find a way to keep the crèche open, and parents were advised this week that despite "overwhelming" support, the committee had no choice but to close the doors of the facility.

We reported last month that crisis meetings were to take place in an attempt to save the crèche, which has been operating for more than 20 years from its base at Rothesay's Moat Centre and caters for children up to the age of eight.

Now that those meetings have failed to keep the crèche functioning, Rothesay Playgroup has agreed to step into the breach by offering two-hour play sessions at its premises in Union Street, similar to those previously provided by the crèche.

Announcing the closure to parents, the Bute Creche committee denied that the decision was down to "issues between (members of] the committee", and said the crèche would not have been closed if this were the case.

The committee said in its statement to parents: "After looking at all the fundamentals, legalities and staffing issues we had no choice but to make this decision.

"The public support for the saving of this service has been overwhelming, and we wish we could work with this, but sadly cannot. We understand all the thoughts and issues that the public have, and agree that if we could have saved the crèche we would have.

"The crèche has not closed due to the issues between the committee. We would not have closed the crèche if this were the case. We have closed purely on legalities, staffing difficulties, low attendance rates over a sustained period of time, funding and new higher standards that need to be put in place."

The crèche's toys and other resources are to be donated to other childcare providers in the area; Rothesay Playgroup's play sessions begin this Monday, November 17.

Bute Crèche also received regular funding from Argyll and Bute Council, and a spokeswoman for the authority told us: "We have support workers for each area of Argyll and Bute, and someone has been visiting Bute Creche frequently to try and help them through this situation.

"Ultimately it's not a local authority decision, but where we can we do want to keep these kinds of establishments open."

Scottish Government statistics show that the number of childcare providers in Argyll and Bute has increased over recent years, though most of the growth is down to the rising number of childminders in the area, from 80 in 2006 to 122 this year.

See also:

Crisis meeting in bid to save creche - Buteman, Oct 22 2008