New Keith nursery will be named Strathisla Children's Centre

KEITH'S new nursery has found its new name ahead of opening up to children for the first time this summer.

Last year, Moray Council and Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS), which will operate the 60-place nursery, asked the local community and families to suggest names for the nursery.

These were shortlisted to Strathisla Children’s Centre, Gowan Children’s Centre and The Friendly Town Nursery. After an online poll, Strathisla Children's Centre has been chosen as the nursery's new name – with 68 per cent of 295 votes.

Moray Council’s senior project officer for the early learning and childcare (ELC) expansion, Robin Paterson, said: “It was great to see so many people get involved with naming our new nursery in Keith and I hope they’re as pleased with the result as we are.

“Strathisla Children’s Centre will provide much-needed additional ELC capacity in the area and we look forward to introducing the children already attending to their brand new building soon.”

The nursery has been operating from Longmore Hall, but will move into its new purpose-built facility in summer 2021 with work coming along well.

Eleanor Smith, manager of the new Strathisla Children’s Centre for FCSS, added: “The children regularly visit the site of the new nursery building so have been tracking its progress throughout the build process.

“We are all keen to get moved in and are even more excited now we know the name that will adorn our new centre.”

Strathisla refers to the area and river around Keith. Strath is typically used to reference a river valley, giving the full meaning as river of Isla.

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