“"What is really important to emphasise is that these proposals don’t alter where the young people will learn but will improve the service we provide by enhancing the governance structure of the establishment. The early years provision itself would continue to operate on the existing campus, with children remaining in the familiar environment they already know. It will provide a single leadership structure and would strengthen the links between the nursery and primary and make the move up to primary even more seamless and easy for the young people. We have experience of doing the same thing at Pennyburn Primary with Kilwinning Early Years Centre and will draw on what we learned from that experience to make sure the change benefits young people, families and staff. But before any decision the statutory consultation will give parents, staff and the wider community the opportunity to have their views considered before any final decision is taken."
North Ayrshire Council to consult on Castlepark Early Years Centre integration
Plans propose incorporating Castlepark Early Years Centre into Castlepark Primary School under a single leadership structure.
By Kirsty Lennox
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of a traditional stone council building facade with a balcony, under warm sunlight and a blue sky.
North Ayrshire Council has agreed to proceed with a statutory consultation on proposals to incorporate Castlepark Early Years Centre into Castlepark Primary School.
Elected members at a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday agreed that a statutory consultation should be held to gauge public opinion on plans to merge Castlepark Early Years Centre with Castlepark Primary School. The proposal would see the centre operate as an early years class under a single leadership structure.
The plans, agreed in principle by councillors, would mean children continue to receive their early learning and childcare in the same building, utilising the same facilities with the existing experienced practitioner team remaining in place. There are no intentions to reduce capacity, change opening hours, or alter the current delivery model for families.
This approach mirrors a similar move made in 2023 when Kilwinning Early Years Centre was incorporated into Pennyburn Primary School. The current proposal for Castlepark aims to build on the learning from that experience.
A statutory consultation will now be launched to gather all viewpoints before the Council can proceed with its preferred model.
Based on information from the official source: North Ayrshire Council (28/10/2026)
