'Shocked' parents in Leeds told new provider could take over Roundhay nursery - days after closure suggested

Leeds City Council launched a consultation on the future of the nursery at Moor Allerton Hall Primary School on Monday (May 13), prompting concerns from families.

It said that dwindling numbers and staffing costs were hitting the school’s budget, and that a permanent closure of the nursery from January 2025 was being considered.

But, just two days after the consultation went live, head teacher Sarah Richards wrote to parents about “new and enhanced provision” being considered for the nursery. In a letter seen by the Yorkshire Evening Post, she said the school had “negotiated highly competitive rates” and that a new provider would “completely renovate” the space.

The message left some parents confused, as the consultation over the proposal to close the nursery was still active.

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Lucia Davies, 36, who has children at the school, heard the news about the potential closure at the start of the week.

“Everyone was shocked,” she told the YEP.

The nursery, which is run by the local education authority, is currently only open during school hours. That means that working parents must make arrangements for their kids to be collected.

Lucia has been among those calling for the nursery to increase the hours and offer wrap-around care.

She said: “We were told that staff would look into it – but now we hear that they are closing it altogether.”

In the consultation notice, the council said that the nursery “cannot provide the flexible wrap-around care and all year-round nursery provision which some families are seeking”.

It added that parents could instead access “a broad range of childcare available across the area”.

But Lucia, who lives in Roundhay, said: “It’s not true that there are plenty of other childcare options available. The closest are a lot more expensive.

“For a lot of families that are in the catchment area of Moor Allerton Hall Primary School, these are not valid options.”

The YEP has seen the letter sent by the school just two days after the council consultation was launched. It detailed a proposal for “enhanced” nursery provision available from 7.30am to 6pm throughout the year.

The letter added: “We have negotiated highly competitive rates for prospective parents and have completed several due diligence checks, including governor and staff visits to other establishments, to ensure we are selecting the highest quality for our children and school.”

It said that places at the proposed nursery could be available from as soon as September 1.

A number of families with children either at the nursery, or who intend to send their children to the nursery, have been left concerned about the costs associated with a third-party provider.

Speaking to the YEP, one parent asked: “Why have a consultation if you know a private company is going to take over?

“We’ve been saying that the nursery should continue as it is, but introduce wrap-around care. I know a lot of families who would happily pay extra for that.

“I’d love to be proven wrong but, if it goes to a private provider, I can see it costing a lot more.”

In a statement shared on behalf of the school, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Moor Allerton Hall Primary School currently runs a nursery for three and four-year-olds during school hours and in term time only.

“The number of children attending the nursery has fallen, with low interest to start nursery in September this year. This, coupled with rising costs and staffing difficulties led the school to request to close the nursery.

“The ongoing consultation relates to the school’s request for closure of the nursery which must satisfy the council's duty to ensure there are sufficient childcare places. This is separate to the governors’ proposal to take on an alternative provider. The letter sent to parents was intended to be reassurance that something else could be available, and not an assumption about the final decision.”

The consultation on the proposed closure will run until May 28, before a report goes to a meeting of the council’s Executive Board. The authority is set to host an “informal drop-in session” about plans for the nursery, on Lidgett Lane, on Monday (May 20).

It comes as Leeds City Council continues its review of a number of Little Owls nurseries in the city as part of multi-million pound budget cuts, with alternative provision being explored for 12 pre-schools.