Council shuts two city nursery schools

Edinburgh City Council has decided to close High School Yards and Princess Elizabeth Nurseries, claiming that provision in the area outweighs demand. The closure of the settings will save the council £200,000 a year and the income from the sale of the nursery school buildings could amount to £250,000, money which the council says will be reinvested in the Children and Families estate.

City education leader councillor Marilyne MacLaren said, 'We are completely committed to top quality nursery provision, but unfortunately there is currently over-provision of nursery places in the central area and it is a luxury we just can't afford.'

Of 43 children who attend the nursery schools, 32 are due to start school in August, and the others are to be offered places at nearby St Leonard's Nursery School, Royal Mile Primary School nursery class, Cameron House Nursery School and Prestonfield Primary School nursery class. All 11 members of staff are being redeployed across the council's other settings.

A campaign group called The Child's Curriculum Group, made up of high-profile academics and former head teachers, are fighting the council's decision.

One member of the group is emeritus professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop from the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde, whose children attended High School Yards. She said, 'Edinburgh has a long-standing history of nursery schools with a traditional and pioneering approach. However, the council has failed to recognise the place these particular long-established nursery schools have and could have in the future.

'There are serious questions about supply and demand. We believe the council asked one head teacher to refuse requests from parents to increase their hours from part-time to full-time places, which had an impact on using wraparound places, even though they had space and staff to offer these and parents could pay.'

Edinburgh City Council declined to comment on this.