Local authorities urged to stop nursery school closure plans

The letter from the early years education charity and the school leaders’ union states that they are ‘extremely concerned’ to hear that some local authorities have already started a review into the future of maintained nursery schools, which could lead to some closing.

This is despite the Government’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution.

Nursery schools have been given £60m in extra funding by the Department for Education for 2020-2021.

The letter states the important role nursery schools play in providing high-quality early education and care, particularly for disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

‘We are aware that the DfE are currently working on a specific long-term solution when it comes to the funding mechanisms for local authorities with maintained nursery schools,’ the letter goes on to say.

‘We are sure that we do not need to tell you about the vitally important role these nurseries play in our education system. You will be only too aware of the positive outcomes they achieve for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and the vital support they provide for pupils with SEND.’

The Department for Education has also recently written to local authorities reiterating its commitment to the long-term funding of nursery schools.

‘Despite the recent commitment from the Government, we have been extremely concerned to hear that some local authorities have recently initiated reviews regarding the long-term future of some of these schools,’ the letter says.

‘Whilst we fully understand and appreciate the enormous financial pressure LAs are operating under, we would strongly urge you not to rush into taking any decisions before we have a clear picture from Government regarding how this future funding will work.

‘If the Government are able to find the right solution, closure of nursery schools should be completely unnecessary, would result in the local authority forgoing income targeted to ensure the sustainability of this high quality provision, and do untold long-term damage to local early years provision. We would ask that you wait until you have the complete picture before proceeding with any such discussions.’

Beatrice Merrick, chief executive of Early Education, said, ‘The long-awaited funding formula for maintained nursery schools should finally give local authorities the opportunity to embed these centres of excellence into their early years systems to support the most disadvantaged children, those with SEND and children in need, and to provide system leadership and quality improvement support in partnership with local settings and schools. 

‘Closing nursery schools now would be short sighted and would mean losing out on vital support through the revised funding formula.’

A Department for Education spokesperson said, ‘We recognise the importance of maintained nursery schools and the valuable services they provide, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

‘We are providing around £60 million of supplementary funding for maintained nursery schools during the 2020-21 financial year and are committed to funding for these settings in the longer term.’