Leeds nurseries face closure as council set to pull funding
It follows protests from parents over funding cuts, which could see nurseries in Gipton North, Kentmere and Chapel Allerton shut
Leeds Council is set to pull out of running three of the city's Little Owls nurseries in a bid to save hundreds of thousands of pounds.
A decision is due to be made at a meeting of the Executive Board today (19th June).
The plans would see three sites – Gipton North, Kentmere and Chapel Allerton - closing or being run by another provider.
A further 12 nurseries could be taken over by alternative providers or merged in future as part of a review.
A group of parents have been campaigning against the plans, raising concerns about the availability of alternative nursery places that would be affordable.
“Any change in the hours or the location or the price will force people, probably mostly women, out of the workforce and it will affect the most vulnerable families the most,” says Hattie Hodgson-Crome, whose youngest child attends one of the 12 sites earmarked for review.
“We’re particularly concerned for parents where their children have additional needs. We’ve heard from parents whose children have non-verbal autism…they’re happy, they’re settled, and that means their parents can work.
“The council claims there are sufficient nursery places available but that’s not what we’re hearing from parents who are contacting nurseries and being told of long waiting lists.
“And also, the fees… Little Owls are affordable nursery provision, we know childcare fees all across our city have risen astronomically.”
The plans would see the council continue to directly operate another nine of the nurseries, which look after children aged between three months and five years.
A report to today’s meeting says that in 2022/23, the annual cost of running Little Owls was £3.9m, which included a £1.9m overspend.
The following year, the overspend was reduced to £841,000.
The report said: “The financial losses sustained by the council in the operation of its Little Owls nurseries cannot be sustained.”
The Executive Board is recommended to approve the withdrawal from or closure of the three nurseries.
The report said withdrawal could mean alternative providers delivering the service in future.
A “market sounding” exercise would be held over the future of the further 12 nurseries, which are: Shepherds Lane, Meanwood, St Mary’s Hunslet, Hawksworth Wood, City and Holbeck, Parklands, Quarry Mount, Bramley, Hunslet Rylestone, Osmondthorpe, Rothwell, Burley Park.
Alternative providers could include schools, charities or private companies.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said:
"We understand the concerns of parents, carers, staff and communities affected by these proposals and thank everyone who has shared their views throughout the consultation process.
"The council has a duty to ensure there is sufficient childcare capacity in the city so that parents or carers can work or train.
"This remains a priority and whilst we do not have to directly deliver provision, we remain absolutely committed to meeting the needs of children and their families across Leeds.
"As the financial position of Leeds City Council becomes increasingly challenging and with Little Owls’ current ongoing deficit, we undertook a full and rigorous review of the current arrangements.
"Each setting has been carefully considered on an individual basis, looking at deprivation, special educational needs, location, population, demographics as well as the availability of alternative providers.
"The current proposals aim to keep as many sites as possible open, prioritising nursery provision in the areas where it’s most needed and should deliver savings of £900,000 in 2024/25.
"Following feedback received during the consultation process, the three sites proposed to close – Chapel Allerton, Gipton North and Kentmere – would also not close until August 2024, to allow an easier transition for children due to start school in September.
"Should the proposals be approved, the council will work closely with all affected parents/carers to offer advice and support in helping to find alternative settings for children, including an offer of a guaranteed place at an alternative Little Owls setting for each child at Chapel Allerton, Gipton North and Kentmere."