TODDLERS at a Denby Dale nursery could have to wait until September to learn the fate of the facility.
Kirklees Council has said it will enter into a consultation period with teachers and parents at Denby Dale Nursery School.
It comes as MP Shahid Malik visited the nursery to speak to parents about their campaign to fight the changes – which could include its closure.
The MP is fighting for the Dewsbury seat – which will include the Denby Dale area at the next general election.
Parent Lisa Taylor’s daughter Molly, four, attends the nursery.
And she wants her twin daughters Lexie and Bel, two, to ago there next year.
Lisa said: “The MP is eager to come along and have a look round.
“We hope that he will see how important this place is, come on board and back us to campaign to save the school.
“The reaction has been really positive, we’ve got more and more parents wanting to help and make a difference.”
Kirklees Council has reassured parents, children and governors that a decision will be made after a widespread consultation process.
A spokeswoman said the council was currently working with Denby Dale’s governing body to examine different options for the school.
The changes are part of a national programme which requires all local authorities to look into early years settings.
Clr John Smithson, joint Kirklees cabinet member for children and families, said: “Due to changes in legislation we need to have a strategic overhaul of our approach to nursery provision.
“The Government wants to ensure that all nursery providers – private, voluntary and council – include education provision of 20 hours per week for three and four-year-olds.
“This will have a profound effect on many non-council providers.
“We are carrying out a full assessment of the likely outcomes and will then take any necessary action to ensure the continued availability of sufficient, high-quality nursery provision.”
Council officials have drawn up four choices:
Option A is for little or no change.
Option B would lead to the school maintaining or taking control of the children’s centre – so far the most favoured by the governors.
Option C would be to de-establish the school and put the facilities out to tender. It could mean a private enterprise could take ove –, although a group of governors or parents could put a bid in to the nursery as well.
Option D would be for the nursery school to join with another school with one headteacher running both.
Clr Smithson added: “This will take some time and, in the meantime, Kirklees Council nursery provision will remain unchanged.
“The Denby Dale Nursery School governing body is fully involved in the process of looking into different options for the school.
“We are taking a measured approach to this very important issue and, once the different options have been agreed, there will be widespread consultation. It is hoped the consultation will be complete by September.”
