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Nurseries in Hunslet and Holbeck will remain under local authority control after Leeds City Council failed to find suitable new providers.<\/p>\n
12 Little Owls nurseries were put under a cost-saving review by the council, including four which were considered for take-over by schools.<\/p>\n
But three of the schools were unable to take control of nurseries at Hawksworth Wood, Parklands in Seacroft and Quarry Mount in Woodhouse, the council confirmed. Discussions were continuing with St Mary\u2019s CE Primary School over its interest in Hunslet St Mary\u2019s Little Owls.<\/p>\n
Hunslet Rylestone and City & Holbeck Little Owls nurseries, along with Bramley, Meanwood, Burley Park, and Osmondthorpe, will stay with the council.<\/p>\n
Two council nurseries will be taken over by new providers following the cost-saving review of early years provision.The Council announced new management for its Little Owls sites in Rothwell and Shepherds Lane, Chapeltown. The council said the transfer would save \u00a3124,000 in 2025\/26 and almost \u00a3500,000 the following year.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: \u201cThe new providers will also enter into a 10-year lease with the council, bringing in a combined potential rental income for both sites of \u00a372,000 per year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The council previously closed three Little Owls sites in Gipton, Seacroft and Chapel Allerton.<\/p>\n
\nThe spokesperson said: \u201cThe council\u2019s default position throughout has remained that in the absence of satisfactory alternative providers being found, the authority would continue to manage delivery of these settings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The Little Owls review was designed to tackle overspends in the service totalling \u00a31.9m in 2022\/23 and \u00a3840,000 in 2023\/24.<\/p>\n
The council said \u201coperating efficiencies and optimisation of staffing capacity\u201d may still be needed.<\/p>\n
A five per cent fees increase was also expected to raise \u00a378,000 per year.<\/p>\n
Iain Dalton, a spokesperson of the Save Little Owls Nurseries campaign said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAfter almost a year of uncertainty, parents and carers of children at the five nurseries confirmed to be staying with the council will be breathing a sigh of relief. We are glad that our campaigning over the last year has shined a spotlight on this situation and helped keep these nurseries in public hands. But other parents are still uncertain over the future of their children\u2019s nursery provision, particularly the four nurseries which may still be privatised.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the government was elected a year ago it promised improvements in nursery provision, but parents in Leeds have instead seen three well regarded Little Owls nurseries closed last August and seen the instability of the private sector with the sudden closure of Leafield House nursery in February this year. Instead of closing nurseries, Leeds City Council should be demanding the funding necessary from the government to continue the high quality provision at all Little Owls nursery settings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n