Nursery World - Local authorities are called on to save nursery schools

Local authorities must do more to include nursery schools in a more formal and strategic way to improve the quality of nursery education locally, or risk losing their valuable expertise through closure, the charity Early Education has warned.

Its report Nursery Schools Now, published yesterday, points out that while maintained nursery schools have made a significant contribution to Sure Start Children's Centres, the introduction of the single funding formula had left many nursery schools 'nervous' about their future.

Fifty three per cent of the 437 nursery schools in England are part of a children's centre.

Chief executive of Early Education Megan Pacey said, 'It would be a tragedy if some of the best early years provision in the country is lost in the process of levelling the playing field.'

She said nursery schools are often viewed as 'too expensive' when local authorities are looking to make cuts. 'We want local authorities to take stock, to see what better value maintained nursery schools could be if they are used properly.'

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