Parents in the Carse of Gowrie are facing a “race against time” to save their after-school club service.
Over 80 people have already signed up to a Facebook campaign against Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to scrap the service at Longforgan and Errol primaries at the end of the session.
The cash-strapped local authority said poor attendance at some of the clubs did not justify a subsidy from the education department.
However, it is a bitter blow for many full-time working parents in the area who depend on after-school childcare to earn a living.
Mother-of-two Fiona Wilson, from Errol, is an active member of the ‘Save Errol After School Club’ Facebook group and said she had been “heartened” by the show of support.
“It’s not just parents who are directly affected that are getting behind us, but members of the community who may need to use it in the future and others who understand the need for it,” she said.
The civil servant, whose children attend Errol Primary School, has been liaising with Longforgan parents about the possibility of combining the clubs to ensure their survival.
“Amalgamating the two due for closure is one of a number of options we are considering, as well as keeping them both open at their respective sites but under one umbrella.
“A third option is to see if we can get a company or individual in and run it as a private enterprise, funded by income generated through fees and perhaps with backing from the lottery fund or Awards for All.
“Unfortunately it is a race against time and a steep learning curve for most of us who have little or no experience of setting something like this up.”
A spokeswoman for the council said, “The council would wish to confirm its commitment to work with parents and communities in efforts to identify suitable alternative childcare with effect from July 1.
“Early support has already been given to members of the community in the Errol area who have put forward ideas and proposals for alternative provision.
“We will be meeting with parents and carers in Errol again shortly, on Monday, and we hope that further discussion will lead to progress on the outline proposals for these alternatives.”