Drongan Early Childhood Centre (ECC) is set to run at a reduced service for the remainder of this week due to staffing issues.

A letter sent to parents and guardians outlined that "staff availability" would require a change in the daily schedule on Thursday, January 25, and Friday, January 26.

Similar issues took place in Cumnock recently, when Cheery Trees Early Childhood Centre also had to run a reduced service due to staffing issues.

East Ayrshire Council (EAC) said the decision was taken due to the EEC being unable to meet the required adult-child ratios.

In a letter sent to parents and guardians, the local authority said that all Drongan children should attend either a morning session from 8.45am to 11.45am, or an afternoon session from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Blue, Pink and Red groups should attend a morning session, while Green, Purple and Orange groups should attend an afternoon session.

EAC said that the service for two-year-olds will not be affected.

The letter added: "If you have no other means of sourcing childcare and require this for work reasons, please contact Sean Maddocks headteacher or Rhea Ireland, depute manager at the ECC, as soon as possible and they will try and accommodate childcare needs where possible if staffing levels permit.

"It is anticipated that the service will return to normal levels on Monday, January 29 and we will issue a further communication about this on Friday 26.

"We apologise for the short notice and any disruption this may cause, but it is essential that we are able to operate in a safe manner with the staff available to the ECC."