A MEETING which could lead to the reopening of a Central Fife childcare facility is to take place next week.
Kids Come First shut its Benarty Centre doors suddenly at the beginning of last month and the team from the facility have now spoken out and insisted it could re-open following an EGM which is now planned for March 14.
A statement on the charity's Facebook page called for the ongoing issues to be resolved so they can return to their before and after school roles.
"As a staff team we are appealing to the voted committee to call an EGM and resign correctly so that the people of Benarty can make the choice of voting in another committee," it stated.
READ MORE: Shock after Ballingry childcare facility closes its doors
"That new committee either closes the club correctly so the staff can move on or keep the club open and the community raise £10k, which we know the community is excellent at getting behind a good cause, and reopen the doors of your club.
"My staff are willing to take heavy cuts to continue. Without the above happening its stalemate and no one can move forward.
"We are not interested in the who is wrong and who is right. We have a bond with the children and indeed the parents and, trust us, that is heartbreaking to just have it snatched from us.
"So please elected committee, call an EGM and resign in person or in letter and give the people of Benarty a say in what happens with their own services!"
With an EGM now been scheduled for next Thursday, Kids Come First manager Michelle McGregor is hoping for a good turn out at the meeting.
"It is up to the parents to decide what to do, if they want the service back," she said. "We have lost weeks and weeks of takings and the staff have not been paid for February at all.
"All my staff have been there for two years and we have that rapport with the parents and the kids. It is heartbreaking for us as a staff team."
Local councillor Mary Lockhart described the facility as a "vital service" and pledged to support any efforts made by parents to ensure that it survives.
"Kids Come First is a fabulous charity which about three years ago went through a very difficult patch," she explained.
"It is an excellent club which provides a facility that is so much needed. The council has other childcare facilities but not in Benarty.
"One of the things that is important about Kids Come First is it walks the children to the two primary schools and walks them back.
"Councillor Erskine and I are making every step that we can to help the charity to survive because we regard it as an essential service in the Benarty community."
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