PAISLEY youth charity Kibble has lodged plans to turn part of its former entertainment and go-karting social enterprise into a kids nursery.

Following the closure of The Experience in Hillington Park last year, part of the site has been transformed into a new skills academy for KibbleWorks – a youth development programme which gives vulnerable young people the chance to gain qualifications.

But the charity – which supports at-risk children across the UK – has now revealed plans to base an early learning and childcare centre at the other end of the building.

Should the proposals get the green light, the facility will offer a range of colourful and child-friendly spaces with accompanying outdoor play areas.

And youngsters will be able to enjoy a variety of engaging and educational activities as well as story time and play, led by an experienced nursery manager and childcare team.

Audrey Baird, Kibble’s executive director for education, learning and development, said: “We are excited to be using our expertise to transform our former facility at The Experience into what is envisaged to be a centre of excellence for skills training and early years education.

“While the nursery provision had been in the pipeline for quite some time, it was the childcare challenges set by the Covid-19 pandemic that accelerated development and brought the idea to life.

“By drawing on Kibble’s specialist knowledge and experience in childcare and education, the nursery brings valuable childcare to the area using an innovative social enterprise model.”

The centre will support children aged from birth to five, with bosses boasting “exceptional childcare and learning opportunities” for parents and carers living and working in Renfrewshire.

With the plans currently subject to approval by Renfrewshire Council, there is no set opening date for the nursery yet.

The Experience was opened five years ago to provide young people with the chance to find out about the world of work as part of their education.

The skills academy opened in its place shortly before Christmas and is providing part-time, full-time and bespoke vocational programmes for young people aged 14 to 25.

As a registered City and Guilds and Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) centre, it offers training qualifications in auto-engineering, horticulture, hospitality, construction skills and painting and decorating.