Nursery provision at South Street to be taken over by Heybrook Community Primary School

A public meeting at South Street Nursery

South Street Nursery School is to close with effect from 31 August. Alternative provision will continue on the same site as part of Heybrook Community Primary School, where it is intended to extend the age range to include two-year-olds.

Children at South Street Nursery School will be offered places at the new provision under Heybrook CP School in the South Street building for 1 September.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet on Monday (14 March).

A report to the Cabinet explained that South Street Nursery School is not financially viable for the long term even taking into account the most recent proposals from the Governing Body and is not able to set a balanced budget within year without the use of reserves.

The nursery, which first opened its doors to local children 80 years ago, has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for nine years in a row.

A petition to save the nursery from closure attracted over 500 signatures and the campaign won the support of Rochdale’s council leader, Councillor Richard Farnell and Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100225/council-leader-backs-campaign-to-keep-south-street-nursery-open