Parents in North East Lincolnshire are being asked to have their say on the proposals to close down three local nurseries. Last week, parents were di

Key Highlights :

1. Parents in North East Lincolnshire are being asked to have their say on the proposals to close down three nurseries in the area.

2. The consultation is led by North East Lincolnshire Council and comes after it was revealed that there are more than double the required nursery places for eligible children in the borough.

3. Last week, parents were dismayed to receive letters which stated that Great Coates Village Nursery, Scartho Nursery School and Reynolds Day Care were under consultation with plans to close from August 31.

4. According to NELC, they are operating at a much-reduced occupancy.

5. Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “As a Council, we have a responsibility to ensure that there are enough places for those eligible children. “In North East Lincolnshire we are very lucky to have a number of private, voluntary and independent early years providers. We are now at a point where we have three places for every eligible two-year-old, and more than double the required places for three and four-year-olds. “Parents have also changed how they choose the setting that’s right for them, with more parents opting for a nursery or early years setting closer to their workplace than their home. “We’re asking residents to give their views on these proposals. To get involved, people can visit the Council’s website.”

     The consultation is led by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and comes after it was revealed that there are more than double the required nursery places for eligible children in the borough. Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “As a Council, we have a responsibility to ensure that there are enough places for those eligible children.”

     Cracknell went on to explain that the Council is now at a point where there are three places for every eligible two-year-old, and more than double the required places for three and four-year-olds. She also noted that parents have changed how they choose the setting that’s right for them, with more parents opting for a nursery or early years setting closer to their workplace than their home.

     The Council is now asking residents to give their views on the proposals to close these settings. To have your say, people can visit the Council’s website at www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say. The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday, July 7.

     Parents across North East Lincolnshire are understandably upset at the prospect of the nurseries closing, as it would mean their children losing a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which to learn and grow. It would also mean that some of the staff at the nurseries, who have been providing high quality care for years, would be out of a job.

     It is important that the Council hears from parents and other members of the community about the proposed closures. Please take the time to visit the Council’s website and have your say.

     Have Your Say on the Proposal to Close Three North East Lincolnshire Nurseries

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