Relief for parents after nurseries funding review

Campaigning parents have welcomed the news that some threatened nurseries in Leeds are to be maintained by the council, but have called for stronger funding support.

- by Harriet Sutton

Leeds City Council had announced plans over the future of 12 of its Little Owls nurseries, with three closing last year as they faced mounting costs.

Now with confirmation that a further five are to be kept on as council-run - known as maintained sites - parents who led prominent campaigns have voiced their thanks.

But with a further three set to be transferred to their accompanying schools, and four to be potentially privatised, they warn the outcome will only "weaken" nursery provision in Leeds.