Consultation is taking place over plans to safeguard the future of four childcare nurseries in Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council has decided to sell the child care businesses that run from Garston, Tuebrook, Wavertree and Knotty Ash Children’s Centres as going concerns.
They are costing hundreds of thousands of pounds to subsidise due to historical reasons related to how they were set up, coupled with the number of vacant places.
The council can’t afford to keep them running as it has to find £149 million of savings over the next four years.
The hope is that children and staff will simply transfer to the new owners, so there is minimal disruption. It will not affect other Children’s Centres services.
Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “We could have simply proposed to close the child care businesses but we are mindful that this would cause a huge amount of disruption and distress for parents, carers, children and staff.
“By selling them we will be able to make sure they stay open, and make the best of a very difficult financial situation.”
Community consultation meetings are taking place at each of the centres on the following dates:
Wavertree Children’s Centre, Wellington Road: Thursday 14th March from 6pm – 7pm
Tuebrook Children’s Centre, Lower Breck Road: Tuesday 19th March from 6pm – 7pm
Garston Children’s Centre, Banks Road: Thursday 21st March from 2pm – 3pm
Knotty Ash Children’s Centre, Dovecot Place: Tuesday 26th March from 10am – 11am
Information on all the meetings can also be found at www.liverpool.gov.uk/council/consultation or by calling one of the four centres.
The consultation is taking place until Tuesday 16 April, and views can also be emailed to nurseryconsultation@liverpool.gov.uk or by writing to: Child Care Businesses Consultation, c/o Children’s Centre Team (Room 231), Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH.
It is hoped a final decision will be made in July, with the centres transferring over in September.
