Derby runs 18 children's centres, but says that there is a need to target resources at the most needy children and families.
The move means that 2,399 under-fives who currently use the six threatened centres will be forced to find other provision.
The council cites low take-up of children's centre services in some areas and says that underused facilities could be offered to schools and used to expand provision for autistic children.
Council papers state that the local authority will receive £1.8m less in funding in the new Early Intervention Grant - which includes children's centre funding - for 2011/12 and will lose a further £300,000 the following year.
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