MP's plea over nursery

MP's plea over nursery

Jun 13 2003

By Education Reporter Vicky Wilks

South London Press

AN MP has urged education bosses to re-think plans to put a nursery into the hands of a private company or voluntary organisation.

After visiting the Norwood Children's Centre, Tessa Jowell - MP for Dulwich and West Norwood - has called on Lambeth council to reconsider plans for its future.

Her plea comes amid growing fears from parents and staff about what's going to happen to the nursery.

Ms Jowell said: "This is a popular and successful working nursery that parents trust - so why on earth change it?"

"Parents can't understand why such a successful centre needs to be moved from council ownership.

"They are rightly concerned about the future viability of the children's centre and its ability to maintain staff levels and provide affordable places for children in an area of high need."

Norwood Children's Centre is one of five day nurseries run by Lambeth council. The others are in Streatham, Brixton, Clapham and Kennington.

Lambeth council's executive member for education, Councillor Anthony Bottrall, said the council plans to carry on running two of the nurseries - in Streatham and Kennington - but hopes to find voluntary organisations or private companies to run the others in a bid to save £200,000.

Norwood could be the first to get new management, in September.

Cllr Bottrall said: "We are not closing any of these centres.

"We will draw up specifications for other organisations to bid for the management."

He added: "The nurseries will still be subject to inspection and supported through Lambeth's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

"The council budget is under huge pressure - our aim is to transfer the management without loss of quality of service.

"We have no statutory obligation to provide day nurseries."

But Cllr Bottrall accepted that all five nurseries are likely to become more expensive in the future.

He said staff will be given the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy or will be transferred to the new managers on the same pay and conditions. And Cllr Bottrall also pointed out that as well as the day nurseries, Lambeth council runs five nursery schools, and the Government is putting cash into nursery places.

This could see 700 more in primaries across Lambeth.

What do you think about Tessa Jowell's views over the nursery? Should nurseries be run privately, by voluntary organisations, or by local authorities?

Text your views to:
07766 725 997 quoting the page number of this story (You must include your name and postcode) (Cost is your standard network rate)

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