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Childcare site changes hands as the Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) takes on the lease of of the building formerly occupied by Inverness College UHI’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre


By Andrew Dixon

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Jaci Douglas and Professor Chris O’Neil outside the centre.
Jaci Douglas and Professor Chris O’Neil outside the centre.

There is a new operator of a childcare centre at Inverness Campus.

The Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) – the largest third sector provider of early learning and childcare in Highlands – has taken on the lease of the building formerly occupied by Inverness College UHI’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre.

It will open its doors to children on July 19, after being renamed Beechwood ELC.

The partnership between CALA, which will independently run and manage the facility, and the college will mean a year-round early learning and childcare service at the campus.

The college will also support CALA by providing catering for Beechwood ELC, while CALA will continue to offer work placements to college students and support apprenticeships.

Beechwood ELC will be open Monday to Friday, from 8am-5.30pm, providing a childcare service for youngsters up to five years old.

Jaci Douglas, chief executive of CALA, said “This is a really exciting opportunity for us.

“We have in place a fantastic staff team and can’t wait to open and meet the children and their families to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for them. CALA already run over 20 early learning and childcare facilities across Highland and Moray, including school-aged childcare as well as a range of other services such as training, family and community-based play and learning in English, Gaelic and Polish.”

Professor Chris O’Neil, college principal and chief executive, said: “We know this service is in high demand and are particularly pleased that childcare will now be available to our staff and students, as well as the wider public, year-round.”

• For more, call 01463 222569 or visit here.


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