Heriot Kids Club receives five-year grant to maintain essential rural childcare provision

Heriot Country Kids has been awarded funding to continue providing wraparound childcare services to families in the village of Heriot.

The five-year grant from the Carcant Wind Farm Community Fund will contribute towards the salary of a Lead Practitioner, ensuring the club can maintain its high-quality after-school and holiday care programmes.

The funding comes as a lifeline for the 18 families who rely on the service each month, with around 100 young people and adults benefiting directly from the club's provision throughout the year.  

"We rely heavily on the Heriot Country Kids Afterschool Club and Holiday Clubs, as it offers top quality, affordable childcare with a helpful number of hours provision, in a rural area," said one parent. "Other options are not convenient to get to, more expensive, and hours offered are limited."

The club has built a strong reputation for its inclusive approach, particularly in supporting neurodivergent children and those with disabilities. Staff have been praised for going "above and beyond" to accommodate individual needs, with one parent describing the service as "the highlight of my son's week."

Operating from limited facilities but with maximum impact, the club currently serves 11 regularly booked children each week, with capacity for up to 16. Holiday clubs have consistently attracted between 14-25 children across seasonal programmes.

The continued operation of Heriot Country Kids is essential not just for individual families, but for the sustainability of the wider rural community. Without accessible childcare, young families might have to relocate, potentially impacting the viability of Heriot Primary School and the village's long-term future.

This five-year funding commitment ensures that Heriot will continue to thrive as a place where families feel reassured, they have access to essential childcare facilities. 

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