Market Harborough nursery school to close amid financial pressures

Welland Park Pre-School is part of Welland Park Academy

A nursery school in Market Harborough will close at the end of August due to financial pressures.

Welland Park Pre-School is "no longer financially viable" due to running costs, principal Pete Leatherland said.

He said the school was supporting seven members of staff who are all at risk of redundancy.

Leicestershire County Council is also assisting parents in finding new spaces for their children in the local area, the school said.

The nursery school, which is part of Welland Park Academy, said it consulted the council and the school's governing body before making the decision.

Mr Leatherland said it had been "an extremely difficult decision" to make but it was no longer financially viable to continue running it.

"Our priority is the wellbeing of the seven employees who are at risk of redundancy, and we are working closely with them to provide the necessary help and support during the consultation process and beyond if required," he added.

"We have also communicated our decision to the affected parents and carers to give them time to find alternative provision from September 2024 - a process which the county council is supporting us with."

The council said records showed there were enough places available in Market Harborough to take care of the children currently attending Welland Park Pre-School.