AN Alexandria-based childcare group is appealing for help to secure a new base amid increased demand for its services.

GillzLittleGemz currently operates its out-of-school care facility at Alexandria Community Centre.

But due to increased demand, the service is looking to secure a permanent home to further serve the community.

The facility already caters for 32 children, and there is a large waiting list for places.

Increased space would allow GillzLittleGemz to increase their numbers and offer additional services, which would include breakfast clubs, youth groups, weekend childcare and a drop-off creche.

Owner Gillian McPhee told the Reporter: “We’re getting phone calls, emails and parents are consistently phoning trying to get a place for their child.

“We are registered with the Care Inspectorate and we cannot take any more than 32 every day because of our room size.

“The feedback has been brilliant from parents which is why we’re so committed to trying to make improvements.

“We’ve found that in the area there is no childcare at weekends. There’s parents who work as waitresses and housekeepers who are desperate for childcare and there’s nothing.

“If we can offer these additional services, it means we can help parents get back to work.”

Leven Labour councillor John Millar has submitted a motion to West Dunbartonshire Council calling for the local authority to enter into negotiations with GillzLittleGemz.

Cllr Millar said: “We are really fortunate to have such fantastic care services such as GillzLittleGemz, providing an invaluable service to Dumbarton and the Vale.

“Local parents and carers are full of praise for the service, there’s a growing waiting list and the business is keen to expand so that it can provide even more services for our communities like breakfast clubs, youth clubs and weekend childcare services.

“I want my council colleagues to back my motion so that we can help GillzLittleGemz to find the premises that best suit them and helps them to grow their services.”

Ian Dickson, SNP councillor for Leven, added: “Partner centres like GillzLittleGemz play an important part in the provision of childcare in the Vale and it is great to see a local business like this flourish.

“I am keen to see the council offer up any suitable facility while the CE centre is being used for vaccinations and for a business plan that allows them to add to the services they offer over the long term.”