The council’s carers champion says ASN parents have been let down over early years provision at North Ayrshire’s new Lockhart campus – with one mum thinking of pulling her child out of nursery.

SNP councillor Christina Larsen told how a resident’s two-year-old daughter had been offered only mainstream early years placements, when Lockhart Campus should be in a position to offer provision for ages two -18 after it was approved by cabinet.

She said the resident was now thinking of pulling her child out the school after not being given the option of Lockhart Campus.

Education portfolio holder Cllr John Bell responded that each child was assessed on their individual needs.

Cllr Larsen said: “It’s now come to light there will be no early years provision on the campus, only primary and secondary provision – which has been made by officers off their own back with no consultation from parents and carers who worked so hard at developing the proposal.

“I have absolutely no doubt that when they hear about this today they will be angry and disappointed and completely let down. Only primary and secondary uniforms have been designed there can only be one explanation for that. We have a live case at the moment of an eligible two year-old with severe and complex ASN who has been offered five early years mainstream places - four who couldn’t meet his needs – and the place they are at the moment is not in the parents catchment area. Disabilities don’t start from P1, they start from the day a child is born. Don’t try to dupe parents and carers as well as elected members.

“Delivering anything less than what was promised to parents and carers in the consultation report would be nothing short of shameful – our most vulnerable children should not have to pay the price of losing their early years provision just because someone appears to have got their numbers wrong.”

Cabinet Member for Education John Bell said: “Each individual child is assessed as an individual, there can’t be a one size fits all and because you fit ASN lets send you off to Lockhart campus. We have to look to provide the best setting for our children and if we can provide the services they need in their local schools that is by far the best option.”