Shovels will be in the ground within weeks after councillors passed plans for a near-£8 million project for early years provision in Forfar and Carnoustie.
In an ambitious programme, work is scheduled to start by October 7 at the former Forfar Academy and Pitskelly Park in Carnoustie to create Early Learning and Childcare Centres (ELCCs) which will help deliver 1,140 hours of free childcare for all Scottish three and four-year-olds from next August.
The purpose-built Angus centres are part of a wider plan which will also see private providers being given support to deliver the additional hours and Angus officials have said they are confident the tight timetable for the new builds will be met.
Robertson Construction has been selected as the main contractor for both developments, with Angus children and learning committee councillors being given the latest update at their Forfar meeting in Tuesday.
Estimated Carnoustie costs are £4.16m, while the Forfar centre is budgeted at £3.64m.
The Pitskelly Park figure has gone down from original estimates due to changes in design and finish but the cost of the Forfar centre at Taylor Street has gone up following a design change to avoid a flat roof there.
Carnoustie ELCC will have a 205 child capacity, while Forfar will be able to accommodate 155 youngsters.
Total Scottish Government capital grant support of some £5.3m is being provided for the brace of developments.
Infrastructure services director Ian Cochrane’s report set out the project timetable to councillors, with a planned construction phase running until June next year.
Following furniture and fitting out in July, the new facilities are due to be open for use at the start of the new session in August.
Children and learning convener, Arbroath Conservative councillor Derek Wann said: “This is a mammoth task to ensure we are ready for August 2020.
“This has been the subject of a few discussions but I am pleased to bring this paper forward for approval.
“It is on course and I am confident we will be ready in time.”
Forfar Independent Colin Brown added: “This will be a great addition to our school estate and early years provision in Forfar.
“Being built on land that is already within the school estate ownership is also a plus,” he added.
