New school funding could hit nurseries, says owner

Chloe Pearson, Paul Bradford and Amy Allsopp of Todwick Early Years nursery

A nursery owner says he fears funding for a new school nursery set to open just metres away will be a "waste of public money".

Paul Bradford, who runs Todwick Early Years as a social enterprise, said he was worried about the future after the nearby Todwick Primary School received government funding to open its own nursery.

He said he did not believe the village was big enough to sustain two nurseries and questioned why public money was being spent on the new facility, which is being funded as part of a £34m programme to expand childcare provision nationally.

The school said demand had increased with the introduction of 30 hours of free childcare a week for children aged nine months and older from September.

Paul Bradford says Todwick does not need two nurseries

The government's new nurseries programme will see £37m invested in 300 schools nationwide to open and expand nurseries.

Todwick School is one of the first to receive funding but Mr Bradford said the village cannot sustain two nurseries, especially as both of them will cater for two to four year olds.

He said: "Years ago Rotherham Council agreed to lease a plot of land inside the curtilage of Todwick School and we raised capital for the build from various grants and loans.

"We have 32 children but the village is small and our nursery consistently has spare capacity. There is no justification for the establishment of another nursery in Todwick.

"The direct impact of this grant scheme will result in the closure of established nurseries in various locations around the country."

Daniel Gill said his daughter, who has hidden disabilities, had been nurtured in a smaller nursery which is not part of a larger school environment.

He said: "Todwick is a good primary school but this isn't the right use of limited public money.

"Public money should be spent where it's truly needed in other places across Rother Valley that actually lack nursery provision, not here where we already have a much love, trusted nursery doing an outstanding job."

Daniel Gill said he thought the money should be spent in other areas

Head teacher of Todwick Primary Alice Deeley said the need for childcare places has increased nationally because the free early education entitlement offer by the government has expanded.

She said: "This will mean from September, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months and over will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week during term time.

"Expanding the offer at Todwick Primary School will free up capacity in other settings, including Todwick Early Years so they can meet the needs of children aged nine months to two years."

Mr Bradford said, however, he was unable to adapt his building to accommodate babies.

The Department for Education said it wanted to expand access to "high-quality early education" where it was needed most so every child had the best start.

A spokesman said: "We are rolling out thousands of new places in school-based nurseries across the country, with all schools required to demonstrate clear local demand and secure approval from their local authority to secure funding for the programme."

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