Parents have spoken of being "heartbroken" at plans to expand a Sefton primary school by taking its nursery in-house.
Waterloo Primary School is proposing to take over the running of early years provision at the school, currently run by private provider Next Steps.
According to a report published ahead of a Sefton Council cabinet meeting held last week, parents said the planned move was “beyond unfair”.
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One parent said they had “cried” at the decision and called the plans “disgusting.” A number of parents are said to be happy with the way the nursery is run at present and do not want things to change in terms of how the nursery is operated and by who.
The report notes that following an Ofsted inspection of early years provision at the school, which rated it as Good, taking over the running of the nursery “would enable the good practice identified to be extended.”
Moving services in-house would also enable the nursery to provide wrap-around care, according to the report and meet the need for greater flexibility and additional places.
A consultation was carried out into the proposed changes earlier this year. According to the report, responses from parents ranged from claims of being “shocked and disappointed that you are kicking the nursery out” to putting in expressions of interest for places and asking if new jobs could be created.
The report stated that by having provision in-house this would enable the identification of children with special educational needs earlier as well as ensuring a teacher led nursery that would “improve standards.”
At a meeting of Sefton’s cabinet, held in Southport on April 6, the proposals were approved, subject to call-in, with the changes set to come into effect from July 23.
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