A mum has taken action after finding out she would be unable to attend her daughter’s nursery graduation.
Claire Scott was left gutted when she discovered she would not be allowed to see five-year-old Ava’s graduate from Cathedral Primary Nursery.
Claire, from Motherwell, has now started an online petition which has now got over 1000 signatures.
She told Lanarkshire Live: “I find it ludicrous that I can mix with seven other adults from seven separate households in an outdoor hospitality venue such as a beer garden, but can't attend my five-year-old daughter’s nursery graduation.
“Our children have already missed out on so much over the last 14 months, as have their parents - now this.
“These outdoor small scale celebrations were already scaled back into small bubbles attending at allocated times with only two adults per child allowed to attend.
“To me it seems absurd that we are are allowing around 6000 people into fan zones to watch the Euros and allowing even more into Hampden to watch a game of football.
“Surely between 16 to 20 parents following strict social distancing, wearing a face covering and following any other measures that the nursery see fit, is much safer?”
Current Scottish Government advice states within their most recent document that parents should not be included as spectators at school events.
The petition says the rules are inconsistent and parents from the same household are being denied the opportunity to go in small groups to an outdoor ceremony to have one final celebration with their children.
Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor Kenneth Duffy has backed Claire’s petition.
He said: “I have spoken to Claire and the arguments she makes within the petition are clear.
“Socially distanced outdoors events could be held safely in schools or nursery grounds and the Scottish Government should trust our headteachers to make the decision.
“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and I hope they revise the guidance to allow the events.”
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “The council area remains in Level 2 but Scottish Government advice for these types of events is in place in order to keep children and young people as safe as possible.
“Although the council wants children and young people to experience transition events that are both meaningful and fun for them, there are some restrictions in place in order to try and mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
“Our Early Years facilities and schools are currently working on ways to help record these special moments and will outline ideas directly to parents/carers.”
You can find out more about the petition here.
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