New nursery plan to combat deprivation
A NEW nursery is to be built in West Gorton to help improve the life chances of children in one of the country’s most deprived communities.
More than one in 10 youngsters starting school in the area do not have the skills they need to learn, according to the council, which has now agreed to create a £1.4m purpose-built nursery for two-yearolds to help them succeed.
The move forms part of a decadelong drive to regenerate West Gorton, including the refurbishment and construction of its social housing, plus new homes for sale and rent and a new medical centre.
A brand new £1.5m park – backed by European funding – is also earmarked for the next phase and is in the process of being discussed with residents.
Meanwhile, the 30-place nursery forms part of a specific move to help youngsters growing up in one of the country’s 3pc most deprived areas to succeed.
Around 10pc of children in the community are not ‘school ready’ by the time they start primary, meaning they struggle to do basic tasks, socialise and learn skills.
Lack of school readiness has been linked to problems later down the line, including in gaining qualifications and employment.
As part of the regeneration programme Manchester council has now agreed to use £1.4m of capital receipts – raised through the sale of land elsewhere in West Gorton to the housing developer Keepmoat – to build a two-storey community nursery next to Armitage primary, responsibility of which will then pass over to the diocese that already runs the school.
The centre will provide childcare, play schemes and space for community use.
Council bosses see the move as the latest stage in a radical transformation for West Gorton. Since 2009 more than 400 ‘obsolete’ council houses have been knocked down, 144 refurbished and more than 210 new homes built, according to an update that went before council bosses this week.
Plans for the new park are currently out to public consultation, with final designs due to be decided upon in the autumn.