Calls for clarity on closure of nurseries

PARENTS campaigning against the possible closure of nurseries have claimed they are not being properly consulted by the council.

Leeds Council launched a review of Little Owls, which operates 24 nurseries in the city, as part of multi-million pound budget cuts.

The authority, which was required to save more than £58m in the last financial year, said three of the nurseries were at risk.

But the council then delayed the possible closure of the Kentmere, Chapel Allerton and Gipton North centres until August at the earliest, in response to feedback from parents.

The Save Little Owls Nurseries campaign said some online consultation events were announced at less than a week’s notice and at times when parents would be putting children to bed.

Amy Greenshields, a parent at Kentmere Little Owls, said: “This is incredibly annoying. The consultation for my children’s nursery will take place when I will be away for work.

“There is no way my husband would be able to go to the event with two children to feed and get to bed at the same time.”

The group is calling on the council to withdraw its proposals and publish all documents relating to the Little Owls review.

A spokesperson said: “The council clearly never intended to consult parents with its original decision, planned for mid-April 2024, and now we instead have this rushed consultation.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are hosting 15 online engagement sessions and those who are unable to attend but would still like some more information can receive a copy of the presentation slides and support with any questions about the proposal from their daycare manager.

“These are proposals at this stage and we are continuing to engage with parents, carers and other stakeholders before any final decisions are made.”