A CONSULTATION on three new nursery schools for Glasgow is now underway in a "significant" step for early learning in the city.

Glasgow City Council is asking for views on early years centres in the East End, South Side and West End.

These will see new build establishments and changes to current nurseries in a bid to create enough places to accommodate an expansion in free nursery hours.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convenor for Education, Skills and Early Years said: “We’ve been working for a number of years to prepare for the roll out of 1140 fully funded hours for our children and families to benefit.

“This is another significant step to make sure that our communities have enough early learning provision for our youngest citizens.

“The consultations gives everyone a chance to make their views know and would encourage people to take part.”

The Scottish Government increased the statutory entitlement for early learning and childcare from 600 to 1140 hours for three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds.

In response, Glasgow City Council made moves to hire new staff and create new nurseries.

Looking at provision across the city, education bosses found certain areas would need increased capacity to deal with demand.

Plans for Tollcross involve relocating Parkhead Community Nursery into a new nursery in the grounds of Tollcross Park.

This would be open all year and provide early learning and childcare for babies and children up to age five years.

The scheme would also create a nursery class as part of Quarry Brae Primary School.

To respond to this part of the consultation, see: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Tollcross

In the West End, plans for Broomhill would merge Fortrose Nursery and Novar Nursery into a new nursery on the site of the former Broomhill Primary Annexe.

This would be open all year and provide early learning and childcare for children from age two to five years.

The consultation survey is here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Broomhill

And on the South Side, Govanhill Nursery and Cuthbertson Nursery class would be relocated into a new nursery in the grounds of Cuthbertson Primary School.

This would also be open all year and provide early learning and childcare for children from age two to five years.

To responsd to these plans see: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Cuthbertson

The consultation period runs until February 18, 2021.