JohnThe closure of two nurseries in East Leeds has been formally approved by senior councillors this afternoon.
The cash-strapped council has decided to pull out of running Little Owls centres at Kentmere, Gipton North and also at Chapel Allerton.
More than 90 youngsters are affected by the closures, which are set to go ahead this summer.
Another 12 Little Owls centres could be taken over by other providers or merged as part of a cost-saving review by Leeds City Council.
They are: Shepherds Lane, Meanwood, St Mary’s Hunslet, Hawksworth Wood, City and Holbeck, Parklands, Quarry Mount, Bramley, Hunslet Rylestone, Osmondthorpe, Rothwell, Burley Park. Alternative providers could include schools, charities or private companies.
Council figures show the Little Owls service was overspent by £1.9m in 2022/23 and £841,000 last year. The review aims to eliminate the Little Owls overspend and save £900,000 this financial year.
The moves come despite a campaign against the proposals by parents.
Childcare at nine of the centres would continue to be directly delivered by the council to ensure sufficient places for vulnerable children. They are: Chapeltown, New Bewerley, Little London, Harehills, Swarcliffe, Seacroft, Middleton Laurel Bank, Two Willows and Armley Moor.
