Parents Launch Campaign To Save Specialist Nurseries

A mum from Fleckney says her daughter – and other children with special educational needs and disabilities – will suffer if four specialist nurseries across Leicestershire are closed.

A campaign has been launched in response to proposals by Leicestershire County Council to shut the specialist settings and instead fund places for children with SEND in mainstream nurseries.

A petition calling for the nurseries to remain open has been signed by over 1,000 people in a few days.

The council says the proposals are aimed at improving access and inclusion.

Laura and daughter Elodie

Laura Hill, whose three-year-old autistic daughter Elodie attends Wigston Menphys Nursery School, has told HFM the move would be damaging for children who rely on specialist support.

She fears mainstream settings may not always have the resources, experience or staffing levels needed to meet complex needs:

Elodie

A public consultation into the plan has been launched and Cllr Charles Pugsley, lead member for children and families, said the council wants people to take part in the consultation, particularly families of children with additional needs and those working in the sector.

He said the authority believes children thrive best when supported within their local communities and that some families currently have to travel long distances to access specialist nurseries.

Cllr Pugsley added that there are not enough places in specialist nurseries to meet demand, and the council wants to invest instead in specialist-trained staff and provision closer to home.

He also said the move could give children with SEND greater access to year-round funded nursery places, as specialist nurseries currently operate during term time only.