FUNDING for six council-run nurseries, including some in Rastrick, Brighouse and Elland, is under threat.

Calderdale Council is part-way through a 90-day consultation looking at whether it should continue subsidising the childcare facilities.

Those affected are Field Lane in Rastrick, Wellholme Park Children’s Centre in Brighouse, one in Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Siddal and Todmorden.

Julia Lumb, of the National Union of Teachers, asked Cabinet members what considerations were being made about the impact of the removal of the day care subsidy on parents and carers and their children.

She also queried what impact it would have on the children’s learning and development.

She asked: “How will this narrow the gap for the most vulnerable children if they are dispersed throughout the areas?”

It comes at a time Calderdale Council is getting £1.4m from the government to provide 15 hours of free childcare every week to 524 two-year-olds.

Clr Megan Swift, Cabinet member for children and social care, said: “The proposal seeks to target funds more directly upon the target vulnerable families and young children rather than at settings where the vast majority of users do not meet the vulnerability criterion.

“This targeting will enable increased concentration on ‘narrowing the gap’ initiatives.

“Support will always be focused upon the nearest appropriate provision and families will not be dispersed from their home community.”

The council says that if subsidy is withdrawn users will be given six months notice.

Loss of funding may not lead to the closure of the nursery, but the childcare providers may have to look elsewhere to raise the funds.