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Parents save one nursery from closure, but lose the battle over two others

Provision
Two nurseries in Wakefield are to close and another is to be taken over by a group of parents, staff and members of the community, in a bid by the council to make savings of 67m.

Last year, Wakefield Council announced it was considering the future of Airedale Neighbourhood Nursery, St Swithun’s Neighbourhood Nursery in Eastmoor, and Pomfret Neighbourhood Nursery in Pontefract, Wakefield, following the withdrawal of Government funding.

The council needs to make savings of £67m, and says it can no longer afford to continue to spend £171,000 each year subsidising the nurseries.

Parents, carers and staff were invited to submit proposals to take over the running of the settings in November.

A successful application was submitted by Pomfret Woodland Community Group, made up of parents, staff and residents to manage the Pomfret Neighbourhood Nursery.

No viable proposals were put forward for the St Swithun’s Neighbourhood Nursery and Airedale Neighbourhood Nursery, which will close in September as planned.

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