Kirklees Metropolitan Council says that the three nurseries - Tiddlywinks, Sankofa and Cambridge Road, all in Huddersfield - will not close until alternative children's centre provision is available. Dozens of parents protested at a council budget meeting to decide the nurseries' fate on 28 February, and supporters have gained 2,000 signatures on a petition.
Councillor Jim Dodds, cabinet member for children's services, said, 'There will be a phased programme to ensure a smooth changeover and a continued high-quality service, locally-based.'
He added, 'Life does not stand still and circumstances change. Our job is to respond and provide for changing circumstances and demands. Some 40 per cent of places are unfilled in these three nurseries, leaving the 125 currently on roll and costing the council a subsidy of 450,000 a year. That is very expensive.
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