Parents 'fearful' of looming nursery privatisation

Parents have said they are "fearful" for the future of seven council-run nurseries that could be taken over by schools or private companies.

Last year, Leeds City Council closed three of its Little Owls sites and said it would pull out of running 12 others as part of its drive to address a budget shortfall of £273m over five years.

This month, however, parents received letters confirming five of the sites would now remain under council control.

Although campaigners welcomed the partial U-turn, parent Jon Wood said putting any of the remaining nurseries into private ownership would be "absolute cultural vandalism".

"It is the poorest that suffer," said the father-of-one.

"Council-run nurseries are a lot cheaper than private-run nurseries.

"We are going through a cost of living crisis, our incomes are not matching outgoings, it is going to prevent parents being able to work."

For the past three years, Mr Wood's son has attended a Little Owls nursery which the council said could be taken over by private owners.

Applications to assume control have been submitted by private providers for the Bramley, Meanwood, Rothwell and Shepherds Lane sites.

"We are fearful it is going to be some big chain that is just not going to provide the same level of care," said Mr Wood.

"It is not fair on families; it is a deprived area where good, affordable childcare is absolutely essential.

"To put these nurseries into private ownership, is just absolute cultural vandalism".

Parent Kath Owen said she was worried about losing a connection to the local area.

"The Little Owls nurseries are part of the support systems for families," said the 45-year-old.

"I will be really sad to see it sold off because we are going to lose more than something that could be measured on a balance sheet."

The St Mary's Hunslet, Parklands and Hawksworth Wood Little Owls sites are currently co-located with schools.

According to Leeds City Council, discussions as to whether the schools will take over management of the sites are ongoing.

Iain Dalton, from the Save Little Owls Nurseries campaign, urged the council to fight harder to keep control of all the remaining nurseries.

The father-of-one, whose child attends a nursery run by the council, said: "If there is not sufficient money to do that, campaign for that money, call for that money off the government.

"We will continue to challenge this because as parents you want the best quality education and childcare and having seen how much my son progressed at Little Owls you do not want that being taken away."

A council spokesperson said no suitable alternative providers had been found for five of the nurseries: Burley Park, City & Holbeck, Hunslet Rylestone, Osmondthorpe and Quarry Mount.

As a result, it would continue to operate these sites to ensure "sufficient high-quality childcare places in these areas".

Irshad and Fareen Hassan said it was a "relief" to know their daughter's nursery would continue to be operated by the council.

"It was very uncertain" Mrs Hassan said."I was really depressed at a point.

"It was fantastic news".

Mr Hassan added: "The moment [his daughter] started going [to nursery] we could see a significant development in her.

"She gained confidence, loves going and she reckons Little Owls is her second home."

Leeds City Council said it wanted to "reassure families and staff that in the event discussions do not reach a satisfactory conclusion, the council's default position is to retain direct delivery of these settings.

"We would like to once again thank parents, carers and staff for their support and patience through this process and reaffirm our commitment that all ongoing provision continues to be child-centred and ensures the most vulnerable children in the city are well catered for."

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