COUNCIL bosses insist "no decision has been made" over redeploying staff in Largs as part of a shake-up of early years services across North Ayrshire.

A concerned resident contacted the News to claim that staff at the Largs Early Years Centre will be moved to work at other nurseries across the area, potentially as far away as Irvine.

The source claimed that staff at the Largs facility are being moved "against their will", and that some are facing the prospect of a cut in hours or even redundancy. 

Senior councillors voted in favour of a 'redesign' of the authority's early learning and childcare provision at a meeting in February in a bid to address the lower-than-expected takeup of places and a fall in the area's birth rate.

The changes to the service will take effect at the start of the new academic year in August.

North Ayrshire Council (NAC) says that while some movement of staff "may be required", no final decisions have yet been made on how many staff may have to move or where they could be relocated.

A council spokesperson said: “On February 24, the North Ayrshire Council cabinet agreed to a redesign of our early learning and childcare service.

“In line with the picture across Scotland, the uptake of early learning and childcare places in North Ayrshire is lower than previously anticipated and declining birth rates will continue to impact the overall level of uptake.

"The revised early learning and delivery models take into consideration the local demand for places, affordability and the views of North Ayrshire families who currently or will soon access this service.

“The council is currently in the early stages of implementing revised delivery models, and is consulting with trade union colleagues throughout this process.

“Whilst there may be some movement of staff required to meet the needs of children taking up a place within our early years establishments, this is not yet known.

"Revised delivery models will be implemented from the start of the new school session in August.”