Two council-run nurseries to be privatised

The council has undertaken a review of 12 of its Little Owls Nurseries, as part of cost-cutting efforts by the authority

Two nurseries formerly run by the council are to be taken over by private providers, as part of efforts to address a budget shortfall at Leeds City Council.

The Little Owls sites in Rothwell and Shepherd's Lane are the only council-run settings to be privatised, following a review of 12 settings by the authority.

Twelve sites had been considered for alternative management, following the closure of three settings last year, as part of plans to tackle overspending at the authority.

Leeds City Council said the transfer in management of the Rothwell and Shepherd's Lane sites would save the authority £124,000 in 2025/26, and almost £500,000 the following year.

The Shepherds Lane centre, in Chapeltown, is to be taken over by Sunshine Community Nursery, which is rated as an "outstanding" provider by Ofsted.

The Rothwell nursery, on Cornwall Crescent, will be taken over by Sweet Peas Day Care and Teaching, which has a "good" rating.

Last year, the council closed three Little Owls sites in Gipton, Seacroft and Chapel Allerton.

Parents told the BBC of their shock following the closures, and campaigned for the council to re-consider.

Parents campaigned against proposals to close three Little Owls settings last year.

Of the 12 settings put under review, four were considered for takeover by local schools.

The schools in question were unable to take control of the nurseries at Hawksworth Wood, Parklands and Quarry Mount, but discussions over the possible handing over of the Little Owls Nursery in Hunslet St Mary's to St Mary's CE Primary School are continuing.

The nurseries at Burley Park, City & Holbeck, Hunslet Rylestone, Osmandthorpe, Bramley and Meanwood will continue to operate under council management.

Parents have previously expressed concerns about the nurseries no longer being run by the council.

One parent, Jon Wood, told the BBC placing remaining nurseries into private ownership would be "absolute cultural vandalism".

"We are fearful it is going to be some big chain that is just not going to provide the same level of care," said Mr Wood, whose son has attended a Little Owls nursery for the past three years.

A spokesperson for the council said the "default position" throughout the review was to continue management in settings in the absence of satisfactory alternative providers.

The council said the review was now complete. However "operating efficiencies and optimisation of staffing capacity" may still be needed.

The spokesperson said "the new providers would enter into a 10-year lease with the council, bringing in a combined potential rental income for both sites of £72,000 per year".

A fee increase of 5% is also expected to raise £78,000 per year.

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