Kirklees Metropolitan Council says that the three nurseries - Tiddlywinks, Sankofa and Cambridge Road, all in Huddersfield - will not close until alternative children's centre provision is available. Dozens of parents protested at a council budget meeting to decide the nurseries' fate on 28 February, and supporters have gained 2,000 signatures on a petition.
Councillor Jim Dodds, cabinet member for children's services, said, 'There will be a phased programme to ensure a smooth changeover and a continued high-quality service, locally-based.'
He added, 'Life does not stand still and circumstances change. Our job is to respond and provide for changing circumstances and demands. Some 40 per cent of places are unfilled in these three nurseries, leaving the 125 currently on roll and costing the council a subsidy of 450,000 a year. That is very expensive.
'Far from cutting spending on children's centres and nursery provision, we are substantially increasing our commitment to meet what parents want now and in the future.'
All three nurseries are long-established, with Cambridge Road registered since 1971, and are open 50 weeks a year. Tiddlywinks, where 70 of the 72 children who attend the nursery come from deprived backgrounds, provides an after-school and holiday club, picking up children from three local primary schools.
Parent campaigner Mel Mills, whose son and daughter attend the Tiddlywinks Nursery and after-school club respectively, said, 'It's not a business, it's a service provided to us parents so we can go to work. The council can't control the private nurseries fees which we will have to pay.
According to Mr Dodds, 40 per cent of the places aren't filled, but that's not true. I know that Sankofa Nursery has also not been allowed to take any more children on since the summer.'
The Kirklees branch of public sector union Unison is fighting to save the nurseries and 45 staff jobs. Joint education steward Mike Forster said, 'They've been manipulating the figures to justify closure at Sankofa Nursery because since the summer they have not been allowed to take on new entrants. Parents are clamouring for places but they're not allowed in.
Staff were sent an e-mail warning them not to get involved with the campaign or they would be threatened with disciplinary action.
'We've still not seen or heard the rationale backing up the decision,'
added Mr Forster. 'It sets a very dangerous precedent when a council can push through the closure of three nurseries without consulting staff or parents or stakeholders.'
'The children's centre provision available now is varied and limited in terms of childcare provision. Many of these centres they call "virtual centres" because they don't actually have a building and just offer family support officers.'
Parents, supporters and union representative are to meet with councillors about the issue on 21 March. Ms Mills said, 'Unfortunately we've lost round one. But it really is round one, because we are not going to give up without a fight.'